351 



rate every conception that had previously been formed of the grand and sublime in 

 scenery. This is greatly the result of the geological character of the island. The 

 mountains have not the integrity of outline and tame regularity of form that always 

 appear in some of the formations of older geological epochs, but are composed of the 

 most recent basalts and other igneous rocks ; and, on a scale of alpine magnificence, 

 present a scene of the wildest confusion, being eveiywhere deeply riven by rugged ra- 

 vines, the precipitous cliffs of which are clothed to the very summit with ancient fo- 

 rests. Among these wild scenes there occur landscapes of the utmost loveliness, so 

 that the scenery is altogether perhaps the finest in the world.'' — p. 71. 



The climate and temperature of the island are quite as varied as its 

 scenery. In sheltered spots on the south coast there is a tropical 

 temperature, and there the climate remains more genial than an Eng- 

 lish summer ; while " on the opposite coast, and in the interior of the 

 island, the mountains are covered with snow, and all the rigour of a 

 northern winter is experienced. Between these extremes every de- 

 gree of climate is met with, and the range of vegetation varies accord- 

 ingly." The author mentions some of the peculiarities arising 

 from these varieties of climate, in connexion with the changes of the 

 seasons. 



" During the winter the residents on the coast look up from amidst their tropical 

 vegetation and genial temperature, through every degree of climate and verdure, to 

 the bleakest desolation on the snow-covered hills above them. In the declining months 

 of the year, again, while on the coast the summer foliage is yet unaltered, and the in- 

 fluence of the sun little diminished, the upper parts of the landscape present the vari- 

 egated tints and the fading foliage of autumn.'' — p. 72. 



The author gives the following as "the most marked zones of bota- 

 nical climate on the south side of the island." 



" 1. Region of Heaths — beyond 3500 or 4000 feet above the sea. Erica arborea 

 is the most characteristic plant of this climate. 



" 2. Region of Laurels — from 3000 to 4000 feet. Laurus indica, Laurus Til, and 

 other indigenous evergreen forest trees chiefly clothe the mountains in this zone. 



" 3. Region of European Trees — from 2000 to 3000 feet. Forests of chesuut and 

 other trees introduced from Europe here principally flourish. 



"4. Region of the Mediterranean Flora — from 1000 to 2000 feet. In this zone 

 the plants of Southern Europe abound, and numbers of the trees and flowers of tem- 

 perate climates have been introduced. The upper limit is marked by the vine being 

 scarcely cultivated beyond 2000 feet above the sea. 



" 5. Sub-Tropical Region — from the level of the sea to 1000 feet above. The li- 

 mit of this zone is well marked by a Cactus, the Opuntia Tuna of DeCandolle, which 

 grows on the cliff's on the coast, and does not reach higher than 1000 feet. 



" 6. Tropical Region. In a few sheltered spots on the south coast many of the 

 West Indian and other tropical fruits flourish." — p. 73. 



