496 The lust Journal of W. A. Forbes. 



is a deep sea (over 100 fathoms) between the two, whereas 

 the DesertaSj nearer Madeira, are connected to that by a 

 bank. From Porto Santo to the lighthouse at Madeira is 

 23 miles. Between the two islands I saw many Bulweria, 

 two quite close to the ship, settle on the water. The 

 flight is strong, Puffinus- or Swift-like. Besides the Bul- 

 werias, a good number of a brownish-grey Puffinus, with 

 belly and rest of underside pure white; head, breast, and 

 tail like the back. There were a number of these just off 

 Funchal; also some Gulls, apparently Larus uffinus, with 

 yellow feet, darkish mantle ; patagial margins of wings, tip 

 of secondaries, and an oblique bar across second coverts 

 white. Got into Funchal about 5 p.m., anchoring close to 

 shore. The town looks very pretty from the sea — wbite 

 houses, green shutters &c., quite like other Portuguese towns. 

 The lower slopes of the hills are much cultivated in terraces, 

 the tops wooded with stone-pines and, apparently. Erica 

 arborea, a bright green conifer-like tree. The streets are 

 paved with rounded pebbles, closely packed together, and 

 quite polished from the friction of the cow-sledges, there 

 being no wheeled vehicles. Went to Miles's hotel and had 

 some dinner. Pretty garden, with bananas, palms, hibiscus, 

 cannas, &c. &c., and many Sphinx convolvuli. Only birds 

 seen were Swifts, apparently Cypselus apus, and a yellowish 

 Wagtail, Motacilla sulpkurea. On ship again about 8.30 p.m. 

 and off at 9. The ' Conway Castle ' for Cape came in just 

 after we did, and left again just after us, soon passing us. 

 The three Desertas are well seen from Madeira, the most 

 northern low and truncated, the two others high, rocky, and 

 barren. All the group are obviously volcanic, some section 

 of Madeira being seen in coast-cliffs as we steamed west from 

 the lighthouse to Funchal. 



July 26th. Duller and cooler, with some swell. Running 

 before the north-east trades. At noon had come about 150 

 miles from Funchal. In afternoon passed a Dutch steamer, 

 schooner-rigged, going north. About 9 p.m. saw the re- 

 volving light of Palma, about 15 miles distant on starboard 



