38 A NATURALIST ON THE "CHALLENGER." 



the shrine of which are reputed amongst the people to be worth 

 one million sterling, was carried round the town. The figure 

 is apparently of wood and is in a squatting posture with the 

 legs crossed. It was borne in a litter, with a canopy over it, on 

 men's shoulders. Next day, from seawards, we saw clouds 

 hanging low over the island, and it seemed as if the image had 

 been again miraculously successful. 



The most complete account of the geology of the Azores is that 

 of G. Hartung, "Die Azoren." Leipzig, Engelmann, 1860. See also 

 F. Du Cane Godman, " Nat. Hist, of the Azores." London, Van Voorst 

 1870. Also T. Vernon Wollaston, " Testacea Atlantica." London, Eeeve 

 and Co. On the Coleoptera Crotch, P.Z.S., 1860, p. 359. 



Madeira, February 3rd to 5th, July 15th to l'Jth, 1853. — 



Madeira is a mass of mountainous rocks, rising to 6,000 feet in 

 height. The town of Funchal nestles close to the water's edge and 

 straggles up the side of the valley in which it lies. In the early 

 morning the island, viewed in clear weather from seawards, is of 

 a beautiful hazy violet, whilst the sea is of the deepest blue. 



The beach at the landing-place near the town is formed of 

 large pebbles of basalt and is very steep. In landing, boats 

 provided underneath with runners like those of a sledge are 

 used on account of the surf. They are backed in stern first and 

 are hauled up directly they ground by men stationed on shore. 

 The main part of the town lies close to the beach and is very 

 like the old part of Lisbon. 



The fish market yields many rare fish to naturalists. Deep- 

 sea fish every now and then find their way, for some reason or 

 other, to the surface at Madeira and get picked up, and several 

 very rare fish are known from here only ; as for example, a 

 curious small fish,* allied to the Angler, described by Dr. 

 Giinther from a single specimen. The " Challenger " dredgings 

 yielded several close allies, and showed that the fish in question 

 was undoubtedly a deep-sea form, as had been surmised. Huge 

 Tunnies, weighing some of them from 60 to 100 lbs., are sold in 

 the market. Their flesh is quite red, like beef, and they are cut 

 up and sold just like butchers' meat. The great beauty of 

 Funchal lies in its gardens, where plants of tropical and tem- 



* Mehmocetus, " Proc. Zool. Soc.," 1864, p. 301. 



