A6 VEGETATION OF TENERIFFE. 
which it occurs annually in Tenerife jas 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 gardens of which the 
breadfruit-tree (A7tocarpus incisa), inireduced by 
M. Broussonet, has been naturalized. in connexion 
with this subject, Humboldt remarks. ‘>at im hot 
countries the plants are so vigorous that iuey can 
bear a greater degree of frost than might be ex- 
pected, provided it be of short duration. The ba- 
nana is cultivated in Cuba, in places where the 
thermometer sometimes descends to very near the 
freezing-point ; and in Spain and Italy, orange and 
date trees do not perish, although the cold may be 
two degrees below zero. 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 coast of Teneriffe, the route is at first over 
a hilly country covered by a black argillaceous soil. 
The subjacent rock is concealed by layers of ferru- 
ginous earth; but in some of the ravines are seen 
columnar basalts, with recent conglomerates, resem- 
bling 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 orna- 
mented with palms of the date and cocoa species. 
Farther up, groups of muse and dragon-trees pre- 
sent themselves. The declivities are covered with 
vines. Orange-trees, myrtles, and cypresses, sur- 
