THE AZORES 



375 



trees and shrubs of the upper woods are Laurus canariensis, Myrsine 

 africana, Ilex perado, Daphne laureola, Vaccinium cylindraceum, 

 etc.; and here thrive as solitary specimens, or in twos and threes, 

 the Tree-Euphorbias (E. stygiana). 



Indications of the prevailing humidity in the upper woods are 

 displayed in the filmy ferns (Hymenophyllum tunbridgense) growing 

 on the trunks of the large Junipers and Tree-Heaths. In the rank 

 undergrowth flourish ferns like Dicksonia culcita, Acrostichum 

 squamosum, and the Bracken (Pteris aquilina), lycopods like Lycopo- 

 dium complanatum, and flowering plants, such as the beautiful 

 Euphrasia grandiflora and Carices, among which we may mention 

 Carex stellulata. Woodivardia radicans is conspicuous amongst the 

 ferns that drape the sides of the gulleys; and clothing the moist 

 and shady banks of the small stream-channels are the fronds of 

 Trichomanes speciosum. Covering the walls of the lava caverns are 

 Selaginello? and Hepaticae. 



When long undisturbed these upper mountain woods form dense 

 thickets difficult to penetrate. Here thrives on the branches and 

 trunks of the Juniper trees the Loranth, Arceuthobium oxycedri, 

 a parasite that grows commonly on these trees all round the slopes 

 of this mountain at elevations of from 2000 to 4000 feet. One little 

 plant not yet mentioned is Sibthorpia europcea. It abounds in shady- 

 spots. 



One of the most interesting of the plants in the upper woods is 

 Daphne laureola, which is usually restricted to levels between 3500 

 and 4500 feet. In the woods and thickets it displays a loose strag- 

 gling habit ; but when, as on the northern side of the mount ain y , 

 it grows exposed on the moors near their upper limits, it presents 

 itself as rounded dense bushes three or four feet in height. Yet iir 

 is a plant that even here seeks protection, and it selects the dips 

 and hollows of the moors and gives a singular appearance to the 

 landscape. 



Numerous small craters and gulches in the zone of the upper 

 woods afford refuge to plants that under ordinary circumstances 

 are confined to the lower woods. The vegetation of the small craters 

 on the slopes of this mountain is often especially luxuriant. When, 

 as sometimes happens, the crater or gulch is inaccessible, the plants 

 attain unusual heights, protected against injury from men and 

 animals. Here in a limited space, at altitudes of about 3500 feet, 

 one may observe nearly all the trees and shrubs of the slopes of Pico 

 from the coast up to 5000 feet, not only those of the upper woods, 

 but such as Myrica faya, Rhamnus latifolius, and Viburnum tinus, 

 that are ordinarily restricted to the lower woods. In these refuges 

 the Tree-Euphorbias are especially at home, and there flourish 

 here many herbaceous plants of both wood zones, such as Euphrasia 

 grandiflora, a tall Verbascum, Sanicula azorica, and species of 

 Habenaria. 



The dominant trees of the lower woods, that is, below 2000 feet, 

 are Myrica faya, Erica azorica, and Laurus canariensis. The 

 dominant shrub is Myrsine africana. But Rhamnus latifolius, 

 Vaccinium cylindraceum, and Ilex perado are also frequent. The 



