LETTER VI 



Arrival at Orotava. 



Early on the morning of the 10th instant, we had 

 approached the island of Teneriffe, sufficiently near to 

 discern trees, houses and vineyards, and the Peak of Teyde, 

 illuminated by the earliest rays of the sun, was seen just 

 over our heads. Before we had come within a league's 

 distance of the port^ we were hailed by the custom-house 

 authorities, who, after making the usual inquiries, and 

 receiving our passports, pronounced upon us a quarantine 

 of eight days, and ordered us to anchor a mile from the 

 shore, with the privilege of landmg at the lazaretto as often 

 as might be necessary. Here we remain anchored in 40 

 fathoms of water, enjoying a cool sea-breeze of 75°, w^hile 

 on shore the thermometer indicates a temperature of 86° 

 in the shade, and from 100° to 120° in the sun. 



On first descrying the features of a new country, one 

 cannot express the emotions with which he is inspired. 

 His eyes are wont to glance with eagerness upon the many 

 objects that are brought to view, and amidst his agitation, 

 everything, although regarded as common before, now 

 wears the aspect of something new ; but after he becomes 

 more familiar with them, they assume their true character, 

 and he can hardly conceive them to be the same. 



On first reaching the shore, I was particularly struck 

 with the singular appearance of the Euphorbia canariensis 

 of Linnseus. It is an herbaceous perennial shrub, sending 

 forth slender succulent stalks from ten to twelve feet in 

 length, and having from four to five sides, armed with sharp 

 prickles. It puts forth quadrupetalous flowers of a white- 

 ish or yellow color, and its light green stalks form an 



