A RAMBLE IN THE HIGHER ALTITUDES 91 



variety of lichens, some of a deep orange colour, 

 make the long ascent an endless source of delight 

 to lovers of Nature, and, provided the weather is 

 fine and the valleys free of mist, I know no more 

 beautiful expedition. 



If the traveller is returning to Funchal, he will 

 gradually descend from this high altitude (close on 

 6,000 feet), down past the Church of Nossa Senhora 

 do Livramento (Our Lady of Deliverance), through 

 the valley of the Grand Curral, up the steep zigzag 

 road opposite, and back to Funchal through the 

 village of Santo Antonio. The region of the 

 laurels and ferns, dripping with moisture, is left 

 behind when the traveller turns his back at the top 

 of the pass on the beautiful Boa Ventura Valley, 

 and he will gradually return to the region of the 

 heaths, pine woods, broom, and gorse. 



When the village of Santo Antonio is reached, a 

 marked change in the vegetation will be noticed. 

 There are many Spanish chestnut-trees, whose fruit, 

 being very popular with the natives, is sold in bushels 

 in the town in autumn and early winter ; and, the 

 district being a very warm one, on the banks and 

 in the hedgerows by the wayside the prickly -pear, 

 agaves, and cactus will begin to appear, while large 

 clumps of pelargoniums, sweet-scented geraniums, 



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