BY WILLIAM CHRISTY, JUN. 311 



of US climbed a considerable height up the side of the ravine, 

 and then followed a Levada, along which we found many 

 good plants. There were complete hedges of Balm of Gilead 

 in full bloom^ and that beautiful plant. Geranium anemoni- 

 folium was still lingering in flower. The Levada at length 

 passed through a portella, or narrow cleft in the mountain, not 

 more than six feet wide ; and a scene of extreme beauty burst 

 upon us. We were now in the Ribeiro Meyo Metade, which 

 is on a larger scale than the Ribeiro Frio, and runs down to 

 the sea, the town of Fayal being situate at its mouth. Its sides 

 are absolutely perpendicular, but clothed with fine wood; 

 from where we stood we looked right down on the magnificent 

 old Vinhaticos and Tils, springing from the face of the preci- 

 pice. We were reluctantly compelled to retrace our steps, as 

 some of the party were apprehensive of a storm in crossing 

 the ridge ; we therefore urged our horses quickly up the zig- 

 zag. When we reached the plain, the gulf we had left was 

 entirely filled with vapour, and presented an extraordinary and 

 awful appearance. On the plain there were but few clouds, 

 but they lay on all the peaks around. We galloped across it, 

 gallantly headed by one of the ladies ; got well over the bad 

 part of the road, and once more found oui'selves on the fair- 

 weather side of the mountain : it was now so hot we were glad 

 to doff our cloaks, &c. The view of Funchal from this part 

 (2000 feet elevation) is most beautiful. Although built on so 

 steep a declivity, it appeared quite flat beneath our feet. The 

 Desertas had an extraordinary appearance: there was a slight 

 haze over the sea, not sufficient to affect the clearness of 

 objects, but effectually destroying the distinction of sea and 

 sky. Those islands therefore, glowing in the beams of the 

 setting sun, looked far up in the sky; and the strong line of 

 surf breaking on their shores seemed like a stratum of white 

 cloud, which, by its contrast, threw them up with the greatest 

 distinctness. The birds we have seen, except canaries, do not 

 differ from our British ones. 



S\st, Brig Vernon. — Our anchor is up, and we are under 

 sail with a favourable wind for Teneriffe, of which I hope to 

 give you some account in my next communication. 



