495 



It was evident, however, that many of the rare flowers were not indigenous — but 

 it was not easy to distinguish those that had been introduced, as the whole country at 

 this elevation had the appearance of an ornamental garden. 



There was a scene of life and motion amongst the herbage, of which our Scottish 

 forests afford no idea — the leaves of some shrubs being covered with brilliant beetles; 

 the abundant foliage giving plentiful nourishment to the swaims of insect tribes. — 

 Larks in great numbers were carolling merrily, and kestrils hovering on the mountain 

 side. 



We dismounted to examine the pictures and architecture of the Mount Church, 

 dedicated to Santa Maria, and from our now elevated position enjoyed a truly magnifi- 

 cent view (the platform and gateway were mantled with luxuriant shoots of Lonicera 

 and Clematis). Below us lay the town and bay of Funcbal ; eastward, the singular 

 promontory which we had rounded on entering the bay, and which is known to visit- 

 ors by the name of the Brazen Nose ; and to the west, beyond the tract of vineyards, 

 is an extensive race-course, with a range of steep craggy rocks jutting out into the sea. 



In pursuing the ascent, we rode along a sharp ridge leading to the Caldeira, or 

 highest peak of the island, on which is a well-supplied ice-house. This is the range of 

 the Pines and Spanish Chesnuts, and the timber here was not contemptible. 



Closely adjoining, at a greater elevation, were many species chiefly of the Labiatee 

 and Caryophylleee. We were now on either side the yawning depth of ravines, where, 

 after a few hours' rain, most formidable torrents rush down the adjacent valley to the 

 ocean. There were some remarkably fine s])ecimens of Gijmnogramina Loiuei (named 

 in honour of the resident English clergyman, a scientific naturalist) amongst the wet 

 rocks of a narrow cleft, through which we passed in crossing a watercourse ; of these 

 specimens, some were singular varieties. 



Sundry were the risks, as we slowly jogged down the mountain, keeping tight the 

 bridle-reins, and the horses occasionally sliding on their haunches. Thus terminated 

 a visit to Madeira, which the novelty of the scenes — the hospitality of the British con- 

 sul and Portuguese merchants, and the kind attention of the house-surgeon of the hos- 

 pital (an Edinburgh graduate), had rendered one of great pleasure and gratification. 



BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON. 



November 29, 1842. — Sixth Anniversaiy Meeting; J. E. Gray, Esq., F.R.S., Pre- 

 sident, in the chair. From the Report of the Council it appeared that 13 new mem- 

 bers had been elected since the last anniversary, and that the Society consisted of 152 

 members. 



The donations to the Library had been very considerable. 



The Report of the Herbarium Committee was read, and stated that the British 

 herbarium had been in reference order for some lime, and the Committee were using 

 their best exertions to obtain the Society's desiderata, which had lately been consider- 

 ably diminished by the receipt of many rare plants from Mr. G. Francis and Mr. S. 

 P. Woodward, the latter gentleman having presented a large series of British mints, 

 collected by the late Mr. Sole of Bath. 



Many valuable parcels of British and foreign plants had been received, and the re- 

 turn parcels sent to the members had given the greatest satisfaction, in many instan- 

 ces the return parcel having been sent within ten days after the receipt of the parcel 



