313 



F 



are Myrica faya, Erica azorica, and Laurus canariensis, Tlie 

 dominant shrub is Myrsine africana. But Rhammis latifolius, 

 Vaccinium cylindraceuvi, and Ilex ^erado are also frequent. The 

 Laurustinus (Viburnum times) is absent in some places and fairly 

 well represented in others. The '' Pao branco " (Piccoma excelsa) 

 is now very rare, its timber being- much appreciated by the 

 islanders. However^ single trees may occasionally be noticed in 

 the woods; but as a rule it finds a refuge in some inaccessible 

 gulch or small crater. Osmunda regalis may be observed at levels 

 exceeding 1000 ft. in moist surroundings at the margin of the 

 woods. Amongst the tree climbers are Smilax and Hedera 

 canariensis^ the undergrowth being usually formed by species of 

 RuhuSj Myrsine afrtcana, and the Ivy just named. In the open 

 districts Calluna vulgaris is abundant. 



But the lower-wood zone is essentially the zone of the Eaya 

 tree. Just as the Junipers are restricted to the upper woods, 

 so Myrica faya is characteristic of the woods below and rarely 

 extends much above 2000 ft., except it finds shelter in some gulch 

 or small crater, as before described. The trees of the lower woods 

 that reach the coast are mainly the Faya and the Tree-Heath." 

 Two plants range through the whole height of the mountain, 

 Calluna vtdgaris and Thymus Serpylliim. They grow not only on 

 the old lava flows as they reach the coast, but also on the lava 

 surface of the summit and on various kinds of soil in the inter- 

 vening levels. 



There remains for consideration the vegetation of the upland 

 moors, which are generally confined between the levels of 2000 and 

 4000'ft. They form a belt around the greater part of the moun- 

 tain, but are crossed at intervals by strips of woodland, Jjjing 

 as they do within the rainy zone their conditions are nearly as 

 moist as those of the upper woods, and they largely usurp their 

 place. They are used as pasture land for cattle, the lower portions 

 being under private ownership ; whilst the upper parts marked off 

 by a high wall, usually about 3000 ft. above the sea, are known 

 as the Jialdios or Common-lands. These u])Iand moors, which 

 doubtless have been greatly extended by deforestation since the 

 colonisation of the group, are characteristic of all the larger 

 islands. In the association of their plants they display a striking 

 resemblance to Dartmoor. Their surfaces on the slopes of Pico 

 are often marked by linear copses of the Tree-Heath, presenting a 

 variety of strange patterns, which look, from a distance, like huge 

 hieroglyphs on a light green ground. Two objects have here 

 l)een served. In availing liimself of the natural growth of the 

 trees the landowner has so trimmed and directed the growth of the 

 original copse that, at the expense of as little ground as possible, 

 he obtains shade for his cattle in summer and shelter from the 

 cold winds in winter. In the other case, whilst clearing his land 

 he has preserved the heath-trees when they are frequent near his 

 boundary lines, and has allowed them to propagate themselves 

 only on the borders of his property, the result being that his land 

 is partially inclosed in a living tree-fence. 



Except on the south side, where the mountain rises steeply from 

 -the coast to its summit, these upland moors have usually an easy 



