Irrigation by Conduits. 69 



fed sheep on the island, so that the mutton is almost unfit 

 for consumption. Pigs and fowls are in abundance, and the 

 rearing of poultry is generally the principal means of living 

 possessed by the peasantry. What is asserted by some authors 

 regarding wild rabbits and boars to be met with on the 

 island, wants confirmation. The few rabbits we saw were 

 perfectly identical with the European species {Lepus cuni- 

 culus), and lead to the supposition that rabbits as well as pigs, 

 now found in a wild state here and there on the island, are 

 only the progeny of those which have formerly been introduced 

 from Europe. 



The numerous open and walled water conduits (levadas), 

 which are of considerable height, and lead to all parts 

 of the cultivated land, are of particular importance. 

 Each levada is placed under the superintendence of a com- 

 mittee, selected mostly from the landowners, who have a direct 

 interest in them. Sometimes one person only, generally the 

 most considerable landowner of the district, under the title 

 of juiz da levada, is entrusted with the control of the water, 

 and receives for his services the use of the water during 

 twenty-four hours. The right of using these levadas is very 

 strictly guarded, and often leads to law proceedings. Every 

 piece of ground within a district through which such a conduit 

 runs, is entitled to the use of the water by turns, during a 

 certain number of hours (generally not more than twenty- 

 four). These turns are different, according to the extent of 

 the district, from fifteen to forty days. The distribution 



