12 NATURAL HISTOKY OF 



of forms only prevails, however, to a limited extent, as Dr. 

 Hooker has observed, that on ascending " the mountains of 

 Madeira, above 6000 feet and up to their summits (6000), 

 we find little or none of that replacement of the species of a 

 lower level by those of a higher northern latitude with which 

 we are so familiar in ascending any continental mountains 

 of equal or less height. Plants become fewer and fewer as 

 we ascend, and their places are not taken by boreal ones, or by 

 very few."* 



As we rode along, we observed butterflies of various 

 species, including our common small copper {Lycmna phlmas), 

 a white Pontia, and a brilliant yellow species (probably the 

 Colias edusa), flitting about ; and multitudes of little lizards 

 basked in the sun, or ran about on the walls, which were richly 

 provided with a garniture of ferns, among which I noted the 

 elegant Davallia canariensis, and some familiar British ferns, 

 and the rare Adiantum capillus Veneris, and the common 

 Asjplenium trichomanes and Polypodium vulgare. 



At length, after an ascent of several hours, we reached a 

 height of upwards of 4000 feet, having left the region of trees 

 behind us, and were informed by our attendants that we must 

 now dismount and walk up to the summit of the mountain, 

 which constituted our journey's end. This we accordingly did, 

 and proceeded to scramble up a steep grassy slope, some of us 

 aiding our movements with long sticks shod with iron, re- 

 minding us of alpenstocks. On reaching our destination, we 

 were rewarded by a magnificent view of a ravine more than 

 2000 feet deep, together with the neighbouring heights, and 

 the distant quiet blue sea. After resting for a while we 

 retraced our steps to where we had left the horses, and having 

 mounted, rode rapidly back to Funchal, getting on board 



* Lecture on Insular Floras, p. 4. 



