uniform soil, greater facility of cultivation 
and a very evident diminution in the num- 
er of indigenous plants. 
In the island of Palma, again, the ravines 
— resume the character of those in Ténériffe, 
they have steep-peaked sides, frequently 
so close to one another that the shrubs 
which wave from the opposite edges, form 
a twined roof of foliage above the stream 
that flows below. The great ravine de las 
_ Augustias is eminently worthy of notice, 
as it opens into the Caldera and the Bar- 
rancos of the eastern coast, and it afforded 
ec 
vum Goochie (nob.), Cytisus splendens 
(nob.), C. filipes (nob.), and C. stenopetalus 
(nob. Lotus eriophthalmus (nob.), and 
Phagnalon umbelliforme (nob.). 
' Towards their entrance, the productions 
of the ravines resemble those of the sea- 
Shore, and at their upper extremity are 
identical with the growth of the forests. 
iy "Thus, ascending to the higher parts of the 
.. island through these long defiles, we reach 
the region of the Woods. There vegetation 
becomes more compact, the trees, closely 
pressed together, almost exclude the rays 
of the sun, and by their sheltering branches 
and foliage protect the growth of many 
nemoral plants, to whose existence a damp 
eee 
a 
the picturesque, the Canary Island forests 
must excite the admiration of all those who 
_ visit them; but it is not our present intention 
us 
VEGETATION OF THE CANARY ISLANDS. 
E 
` Laurels and Fayas may 
portant station in the Flora of these cli- 
mates, so that we mean to reserve to a fu- 
ture chapter our observations on the group- 
ing of the forest species, and the different 
selves, at the present time, to pointing out 
the principal trees and most remarkable 
lants, 
The Laurels prevail over all the other 
species; they are four in number, Laurus 
Canariensis (nob.), L. Indica, L. Barbu- 
groupes, mingled with trees, arborescent 
341 
Heaths, Ilex, Visnea, and Arbutus, name- 
ly Erica arborea, Ilex Perado, and J. 
anariensis, Visnea Mocanera, Arbutus 
Canariensis, Rhamnus glandulosus, Ce- 
lastrus cassinoides, Myrsine Canariensis, 
and Olea excelsa. Next after the Laurels, 
Heaths and Ilex, the Ardisia excelsa, Ce- 
rasus Hixa, Viburnum rugosum, and Myri- 
ca Faya are the most abundant species; 
Behmeria rubra, and Pittosporum coria- 
ceum are very rare. Among the nemoral 
plants, the Convolvulus of the Canaries 
twines like a vine to the very top of the 
highest trees, while the beautiful Anemone- 
leaved Geranium inhabits the vicinity of 
the springs; Ruscus androgynus surrounds 
the old trunks, and a multitude of Ferns 
: i: 2 ^d OPES £4 £ S 
A; & i 
heap reus dem 5 i 
The following plants, whose specific names 
sufficiently denote their origin, grow like- 
wise in the forest region— Digitalis Cana- 
riensis, Hedera Canariensis, Smilax Ca- 
nariensis, Bystropogon Canariense, Ge- 
nista Canariensis, Dracocephalum Cana- 
riense, Asplenium Canariense, Davallia 
Canariensis, Trichomanes Canariense, 
Astrodontium Canariense, Bryum Cana- 
lense. 
After traversing these primitive woods, 
we come to wasted plains, where vegeta- 
tion, if allowed to proceed uninterruptedly, 
will finally restore the original aspect 
the.country. First, groupes of young 
be seen springing 
‘up again among the Heaths; then the lat- 
ter, becoming more numerous, forbid the 
growth of any other plant; but when we 
proceed towards the higher region, these 
bushes, growing thinner and thinner, are 
almost lost among the species of Cistus and 
of Pteris.. At the elevation of 3,600 feet, 
the stunted wood finally disappears, and 
the Cistus vaginatus reigns alone, spread- 
ing in large masses as far as the boun 
of the Pine Woods. 
In general aspect and form, the Pine of 
the Canary Islands considerably resem- 
ples the European species, the fir-woods 
calling to mind the alpine forests of our 
native land. Beneath these gigantic trees, — 
be: | 
es 
