Introduction of the Vine* 75 



east of Madeira, and belonging to it, there grows on the rocks 

 the orchilla {Rocella tinctoria), a species of lichen, cele- 

 brated for yielding a fine purple colour, much used in dyeing. 

 Considering the great importance for industrial purposes of 

 this lichen, it might, with some care, be advantageously 

 grown in Madeira. Formerly there was a small quantity 

 brought to market, and sold for 14,000 reis the quintal. 

 At the present time the yield has entirely ceased, though 

 it is found in large quantities in the neighbouring islands. 

 It is considered not to be of such good quality as that of 

 the Azores, where, as is the case with all lichens, that grow 

 in more southern and warmer climates, it is of a better 

 quality, and more highly esteemed. 



The product, however, which hitherto has yielded the 

 largest profit to the natives, and made the name of Madeira 

 famous and familiar, even to those who do not profess 

 a particular interest in the beauties of nature in this romantic 

 island, is its wine. Though this article of exportation has, 

 through the vine disease, entirely lost its former importance, 

 yet it may be of some interest to take a glance at its history 

 and culture, in order the better to comprehend the magni- 

 tude of the calamities that have overwhelmed the people of 

 Madeira, in consequence of the bad vintages of the last seven 

 years. 



The vine was introduced from Cyprus, almost at the same 

 time with the sugar-cane, under the auspices of Prince Henry 

 of Portugal, in 1425, but its culture did not attain much 



