BOTANICAL INFORMATION. 489 
The vegetation of these mountains resembled that of the 
Sierra Bermeja, of which they are a prolongation. Į saw the 
same plants, and Cistus populifolius was in high beauty. It was 
noon before we attained the summit of the mountain pass ; 
for the slopes are long; and the crest is more distant from 
the sea in this part of the chain than it is at Estepona. The 
highest point has an elevation of 3600 feet, and the only 
trees are stunted firs, which find their limit there: of Pin- 
sapos I observed none. The sky was chill, and rain fell on the 
summit, while I saw the whole coast glowing under the rays 
of the sun. On the northern side, spring prevailed, and 
some few Oaks, which I passed, were hardly yet in flower. 
Presently I came upon thick blooming copses of Genista 
caudicans and triacanthos: the Erica Australis, a charming 
heath, which had not previously fallen under my notice, 
fringed the slopes, and along with Sazifraga granulata, 
adorned the brink of a little stream, which afforded spe- 
cimens of Montia fontana and Stellaria uliginosa. We were 
in a perfect labyrinth of mountains and valleys. Before us 
lay the village of Igualeja, situated in a deep ravine; while, 
9n the left, the valley of the Rio Guénal was dotted with 
numerous hamlets. So many hills and deep ravines intersect 
this country, that the communication is frequently very cir- ss 
Cuitous, even between points which are almost close together; 
and the mere aspect of the district suffices to explain how it 
Came to pass that the French could never maintain them- 
selves in possession of it, and why it is the chosen haunt of 
Contrabandists and of robbers. | 
Through a forest of Chestnuts and Cork-oaks we descended 
to the village of Igualeja. The fruit of the former tree, which 
abounds in the Serrania, constitutes, as in Corsica and Sicily, — 
the chief food of the people. The hedges of Bramble, 
‘Whitethorn, and other shrubs of central Europe, unknown 
9n the plains of Spain, attest a cold and damp climate, 
though I observed some Olive-trees in the sheltered — 
Of the valley, and even Oranges in the gardens. The villag e 
18 large: its narrow streets and ancient dilapidated mansions, ee 
