THE QUARTERLY 
JOURNAL OF SCIENCE. 
JANUARY, 1866. 
I, TENERIFFE. 
An Ascent of the Peak and Sketch of the Island. Illustrated. 
By Rosert Epwarp ALiIson. 
In this paper it is my intention to record briefly some of my experi- 
ences during a residence in the Island of Teneriffe, and I shall 
describe whatever appeared to me of value, according to my habits 
of investigation; imperfect as the narrative may be, I hope it will 
be the means of inducing more capable observers to visit that 
interesting island, which, on a small scale, offers a very ample field 
for the labours of the man of science; where the vegetations of 
most distant regions meet together, and where a climate can be 
obtained, varying within a few miles from the softest temperature 
of Italy to the cold of an English March. 
In consequence of a very severe affection of the lungs, I was 
ordered to try the climate of Madeira; on my arrival at that 
beautiful island, the medical man I consulted told me that the 
climate of Funchal was not suitable for my complaint, and advised 
me to try that of Teneriffe, where I could reside during the 
summer months at a considerable elevation above the sea, and 
during the winter on the coast, and thus enjoy an equable tempera- 
ture throughout the year ; his advice appeared to me so good, that 
I resolved to adopt it. 
I left Funchal with a strong north-east trade wind, which we 
expected would enable us to reach Teneriffe in about thirty hours, 
as the distance is only about 200 miles. 
After passing Madeira, we remarked the peculiar change in the 
colour of the sea, which passed from a cobalt blue to a very deep 
Prussian blue, probably caused by the increased depth of the ocean 
and the very blue colour of the sky. I had been told that the lofty 
cone of the Peak of Teneriffe could be distinctly seen at a distance 
of 120 miles; about an hour after sunrise we supposed that we were 
within one-half of that distance, but no Peak was to be seen, to my 
VOL, III. B 
