io6 Voyage of the Novara. 



not less charming than instructive, especially as we gazed on 

 those hardened streams of lava, so interesting as regards the 

 geological history of the island, out of the numerous crevices of 

 which grew luxuriant magnificent rosettes of Sempervivum. 

 Fuchsias and heliotropes were gathered from the bushes, and 

 each took a share, now with the geological hammer, now 

 with the botanical box, or the butterfly-catcher, in the harvest 

 of objects of natural history. We passed in this neighbour- 

 hood several houses delightfully situated, surrounded by hedge- 

 rows of luxuriant shrubs and splendid native flowers. 



In the fine garden of the inn, amidst myrtles, bignonias, 

 euphorbias, and fuchsias, was a handsome Camellia japonica, 

 which had attained the imposing height of 15 feet, with a 

 diameter of 9 inches, the top spreading fan-like in number- 

 less branches. 



The following morning we returned to Funchal, accompanied 

 by a troop of ragged and diseased natives, pertinaciously ap- 

 pealing to our charity. Plenteous alms were given them, for 

 where Nature is so prodigal of her gifts, the human mind be- 

 comes more sensitive and liberal. At noon, we again reached 

 the beautiful terrace of Nossa Senhora de Monte, and here 

 the excursion was wound up by a diversion of quite a peculiar 

 character ; for, instead of returning to Funchal on horseback, 

 we slid down a mountain 1500 feet high, right into the town, 

 on small double-seated wooden sledges, thus travelling down 

 what is probably the grandest natural Montague Russe in the 

 world. A train of more than a dozen sledges started at the 



