291 
We were delighted to see the island of La Palma* in the even- 
ing, outlined against the setting sun. It is only visible from 
Orotava at sunset during very clear weather. 
The unusually clear weather continued on the following day 
(May 28th), the Peakt being visible at intervals during the morning. 
As a rule it becomes shrouded by mists about 8 o’clock in the morn- 
ing, and these usually do not disappear until dusk. They are 
caused by the rise of moisture-laden sea-breezes which, at an altitude 
of about 3000 ft., become cooled down sufficiently to cause conden- 
sation, 
A small steamer lay off the pier awaiting a.shipment of bananas, 
which were being brought down in large wagons drawn by two 
oxen. e bananas are packed in single and double crates holding 
one and two bunches respectively. The wood is sent in ready- 
shaped pieces from Scandinavia, and the crates are made up on the 
spot. One wagon contained 36 single and 12 double crates, ic., 
n the afternoon specimens of a few Canarian trees and shrubs 
were obtained in Mrs. Wethered’s garden by kind permission of the 
owner. Several of these were afterwards met with in a wild state. 
in La Palma and Tenerife. ew plants were gathered in the 
Barranco Martianes, the flora of which seemed to be very poor. 
On May 29th we left Orotava by the 7 a.m. motor “bus for 
Tacoronte, and thence proceeded by tram to Santa Cruz. Between 
Tacoronte and Laguna there is a fine view towards Tejina, with 
some good rock scenery. Shortly afterwards, the wooded hills of 
Las Mercedes eame into view, with a table-topped hill in the fore- 
ground. ese were visited on our return from La Palma, and are 
described later on. The journey by electric tram from Laguna to 
anta Cruz is very bumpy and dusty, at least in the summer, but in 
the descent to the capital there are fine views of the sharp black 
peaks and serrated ridges of the Anaga Mountains. 
n the afternoon we were courteously received by Don Arturo 
Ballester, Chief of the Forest Department of the Canaries, to whom 
we had a letter of introduction. He gave us a letter to the Assistant 
Conservator of Forests at Santa Cruz de La Palma, and some 
valuable advice as to places worth visiting in that island. ; 
Our steamer, the “La Palma,” was due to leave Tenerife at 
8 p.m., but did not depart till after midnight, as there was still a 
good deal of cargo to be unloaded, including many crates of onions 
from Lanzarote. On approaching the island of La Palma next 
morning (May 30th), we could see that the upper and middle slopes 
of the mountains were still covered with extensive pine-forests. 
Deforestation has taken place to a much less extent than in Tene- 
rife, e numerous immensely deep ravines (barrancos) which 
furrowed the sides of the mountains were very conspicuous from 
1e sea. 
The island is roughly pear-shaped, with the rounded end towards 
the north. It is 29 miles long and 17} miles broad. The centre of 
the northern half is occupied by an immense crater, the Gran 
* Not to be confused with the town of Las Palmas, the capital of Grand 
anary. 
+ Pico de Teyde, Tenerife. 
