A-EGETATION OF TENERIFFE. -1 1 



arc not harassed by the revolting sight of slavery, which chap, hi 

 exists in almost all the European colonies. 



In winter the climate of Laguna is excessively foggy, Winter 

 and the inhabitants often complain of cold, although ^"^^ 

 snow never falls. The lowest height at which it occurs 

 annually in TenerifFe has not been ascertained ; but it 

 has been seen in a place lying above Esperanza de la 

 Laguna, close to the town of that name, in the gar- 

 dens of which the breadfruit-tree {^Artocarpus incisa), 

 introduced by M. Broussonet, has been naturalized. In 

 connexion with this subject, Humboldt remarks, that 

 in hot countries the plants are so vigorous that they can 

 bear a greater degree of frost than might be expected, 

 provided it be of short duration. The banana is culti- 

 vated in Cuba, in places where the thermometer some- 

 times descends to very near the freezing-point ; and in 

 Spain and Italy, orange and date trees do not perish, 

 although the cold may be nearly four degrees below 

 that point. Trees growing in a fertile soil are remarked 

 by cultivators to be less delicate, and less affected by 

 changes of temperature, than those planted in land that 

 affords little nutriment. 



From Laguna to the port of Orotava, and the western western 

 coast of Teneriffe, the route is at first over a hilly "^'^^ 

 country covered by a black argillaceous soil. The sub- 

 jacent rock is concealed by layers of ferruginous earth ; 

 but in some of the ravines are seen columnar basalts, 

 with recent conglomerates, resembling volcanic tufas 

 lying over them, which contain fragments of the former, 

 and also, as is asserted, marine petrifactions. This 

 delightful country, of which travellers of all nations 

 speak with enthusiasm, is entered by the valley of 

 Tacoronte, and presents scenes of unrivalled beauty. 

 The seashore is ornamented with palms of the date and Palm trees 

 cocoa species. Farther up, groups of muste and dragon- 

 trees present themselves. The declivities are covered 

 with vines. Orange-trees, myrtles, and cypresses, sur- 

 round the chapels that have been raised on the little 

 hills. The lands are separated by enclosures formed of 



