yo Voyage of the Novara. 



of the water is entrusted to a so-called levadeiroj who places 

 himself at the upper end of the land through which the 

 water is to flow, and with an hour-glass in his hand 

 measures — a modern Saturn — the time during which the 

 owner is entitled to the use of the beneficent element. After 

 the expiration of the fixed period, the water is made to pass 

 on to the ground of another proprietor. These conduits, so 

 extremely important to the farmer, were constructed partly 

 at the expense of the Government, and partly by the con- 

 tributions of the landed proprietors. Those who have no 

 other title may obtain the right to this privilege either by 

 purchase or by government grant. For every twenty-four 

 hours* use of the levadas 400 reis* are paid, which tax is 

 employed to keep them in good order. 



The high roads of Madeira are, with but few exceptions, 

 in a deplorable condition. They are generally laid with 

 small pointed stones, and at numerous places they have an 

 inclination of from 23 to 27 degrees. Every adult male 

 native is obliged to pay annually one Spanish piastre, or to 

 give five days' labour for their repair. On account of the 

 bad condition of the roads in the interior of the island, most 

 of the natural produce is conveyed from one place to another 

 in boats, or, as is the case with wine, is carried to the harbour 

 in skins and casks, on the backs of the inhabitants. 



The first attempt at cultivation in Madeira was the 

 planting of sugar-canes, introduced soon after the discovery 



* 1000 reis or milieis =^ to one Spanish piastre, or about 4s. 4d. 



