106 EXCURSIONS IN MADEIRA 



here predominates, and may give its name to the region ; ferns 

 (acrosticha) are occasionally mixed with it, but abound according 

 to locality. In it, we find thefagiis castanea, flourishing according 

 to situation ; in the ravines it is most luxuriant, while in the 

 exposed parts of the hills it is stinted and solitary, but no where 

 confined to streams". 



The third region, ascending to 5600 feet, is more complicated 

 than the others, being more influenced by locality ; it may best 

 be termed the region of Vaccinium and Laurels. On ascending 

 the peak of Ariero to the summit, we find the former shrub form- 

 ing large thickets on the side next the Coural, while on the other, 

 exposed to the sea, the vegetation is confined to graminea and 

 erica ; the latter of which only now and then grow to the size of 

 trees. The j'uncus starts up in very considerable quantities, on the 

 same side with the vaccinium. On the Poul, (which is on the 

 western side of the island, and, within a few feet, as high as the 

 peak of Ariero) the same vaccinium abounds in thickets of small 

 trees, which confirms me in giving its name to the region ; and as 

 vegetation is more luxuriant on this side of the island, more 

 variety presented itself, the vaccinium predominating, and continu- 

 ing to abound to the summit. In this region we find (besides the 

 juncus above mentioned) the thymus, steeheUna, sonchus, ferns of 

 various genera, nepeta, ilex, taxus, erodium, digitalis, with various 

 small composita, Sfc. The laurels (which I also consider as cha- 

 racterizing this region, especially the lower part) grow to a very 

 large size on the western side of the island, while, on the eastern, 



" We also find Graminea, very abundant in the less exposed situations ; the Ver- 

 bascum, Salix rubra, Agaricus, a small portion of EriccB, Compositee, Mentha (abun- 

 dant), Digitalis, Rubus (in great quantities), Solana, Rosa, Fuschia, Buxus, (the three 

 last have probably strayed from gardens) Capsicum, Hypnum, and Lichens, all 

 growing spontaneously. The Pinus sylvestris has been successfully cultivated in 

 the lower part of the region. 



