VILLA GARDENS WEST OF FUNCHAL 25 



quinta, and since then the property has had 

 various owners. Though the garden is now 

 neglected, as the villa has been uninhabited for some 

 years, the trees remain, and together with those 

 belonging to the adjoining Quinta das Augustias 

 on the one side, and those of the Quinta Pavao 

 on the other, form one of the principal features 

 of the town of Funchal. The day is probably 

 fast approaching when the whole of this property 

 will fall into the hands of an hotel company, 

 but it is to be hoped that some effort will be 

 made to save the trees. From far and near the 

 splendid specimens of Araucaria excelsa form a 

 very important feature in the landscape, as they 

 have attained an immense size. I am told that 

 Mr. William Copeland first introduced these 

 Norfolk Island pines to Madeira, and planted those 

 at Quinta Vigia. They seem to have taken kindly 

 to their adopted country, though not, of course, 

 attaining to the gigantic height of 150 feet, as 

 they are said to do in their native land. The 

 garden also contains a good specimen of Araucaria 

 braziliensis. One of the largest cabbage palms 

 in the island stands near the entrance, and the 

 garden is rich in rare trees. Grevilleas, with 

 deep orange bottle -brush -like flowers ; schotia, 



4 



