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2000-5000 ft., rudely corresponds to the upper moimtain woods. 

 Amongst the trees Erica azorica is often predominant, attaining 

 its greatest development in the middle of the belt, and growing 

 when left undisturbed to a height of 15, 18, or even 20 ft. In 

 the open woodland bushes of Calluna vulgaris may be nearly as 

 abundant. It is between 3000 to 4000 ft. that the upper woods 

 display their best growth. Though on account of the woodcutter's 

 destructive influence exercised through many generations the wood 

 is small, the height of the trees not usually exceeding 15 or 20 ft., 

 several of them when left alone can attain, as shown below, twice 

 this height. Amongst the other characteristic trees and shrubs 

 of the upper woods are Laurus canariensis^ Myrsine africanay 

 Ilex peradoy Daphne laureolay Vaccinium cylindraceuTriy etc, ; 

 and here thrive as solitary specimens or in twos and threes the 

 Tree-Euphorbias {E. mellifera). Indications of the prevailing 

 humidity are displayed in the filmy ferns (Ilymenophyllum tun- 

 hridgense) growing on the trunks of the larger Junipers and Tree- 

 Heaths. In the shade flourish ferns like Dichsonia culcita and 

 Acrosticlium squamosum ; whilst Lycopodiuvi c om planatum is 

 here at home. Selaginellaa and Liverworts often appropriate the 

 interior of the lava-caverns, and the large fronds of Woodtvardia 

 radtcans clothe the sides of the narrow gulleys. Sihthorpia 

 europaea abounds in shady spots, and Trichomanes speciosum grows 

 in the dampest situations. When long undisturbed the woods 

 form dense thickets difficult to penetrate- Here thrives on the 

 branches of the Juniper trees the Loranth [Arceutliohiuvi 

 ctycedri). This parosite grows commonly on the Juniper all 

 round the slopes of Pico at elevations of from 2000 to 4000 ft. 



One of the most interesting of the plants in the upper woods is 

 Daphne laureolay which is usually restricted to levels between 

 3500 and 4500 ft. In the woods and thickets it displays a loose 

 straggling habit; but when, as on the northern side of the moun- 

 tain, it grows exposed on the moors near their upper limit, it 

 presents itself as rounded dense bushes three or four feet in height. 

 But it is a plant that even here seeks protection, and it selects the 

 dips and hollows of the moors and gives a singular appearance to 

 the landscape. 



Numerous small craters and gulches lu the upper-wood zone 



afford refuge to plants that under ordinary circumstances are 



confined to the lower woods. The vegetation of the small craters 



on the slopes of Pico is often especially luxuriant. When, as 



sometimes happens, the crater or gulch is inaccessible the plants 



grow to unusual heights, protected against injury from men and 



animals. Here, in a limited space, at altitudes of about 3500 ft., 



one may observe nearly all the trees and shrubs of the slopes of 



Pico from the sea-level up to 5000 ft., not only those of the upper 



woods but such plants as Myrica faya, Rhamnus latifolmsy and 



Vihurnum tlmts (Laurustinus) that are ordinarily restricted to 



the lower woods. In these refuges the Tree-Euphorbias (E. melli- 



fera) are particularly at home, and there flourish here many 



herbaceous plants, such as the handsome Euphrasia grandifloray 



a tall VerhnscuiUy Sanicula azorica, and species of Habenaria. 



The dominant trees of the lower woods, that is below 2000 ft., 



