chap. I.] PORTELLA. SERRA DE SANTO ANTONIO, ETC. 15 



north and east by high hills, and is covered with a profusion 

 of vineyards, white quintets, and straw-thatched cottages. 



PORTELLA. 



Mounting to the Portella, which is a sort of natural gate- 

 way hewn in the ridge of rocks, you obtain a glorious view on 

 all sides : the high peaks of Ruivo ; the Valley of Faial, with 

 the grand insulated rock of the Penha d'Aguia in its bosom; 

 the Point S™ Lourenco ; and beyond it the Island of Porto 

 Santo in the distance. 



SERRA DE SANTO ANTONIO. 



Your ride home continues across the Serra of Santo An- 

 tonio; the word serra means a saw, and has been origi- 

 nally applied to a serrated mountain range ; in Madeira the 

 term is used to express an elevated plain. This serra is a 

 place of summer resort ; it is famous for the fine urze * trees 

 which grow in the vicar's garden. There is a building 

 erected near the church for the accommodation of tourists, 

 which bears the name of the pilgrims' house. 



CAMACHA. 



Next you come to Camacha, another place of summer re- 

 sidence, preferred by many from its being nearer to the town. 

 At last you reach the Palheiro, and thence descending on 

 Funchal, finish a long day's work of nine or ten hours' 

 duration. 



PALHEIRO. 



The Palheiro was the chief country residence of the 

 wealthy Count Carvalhal, who formerly owned nearly one- 



* Tree heath. 



