THE PLANTS AND GARDENS OF THE CANARY ISLANDS. 75 
be seen. The abundance of sweet Violets in the woods and 
of Watercress in the streams completes the northern character 
of the scene. Yet a few miles away are the barren hot rocks of 
the coast, and not far above are the ashes and cinders of the 
Peak with their capping of last winter's snow. At 3,890 feet 
Agua Manza is reached. It is at the head of a deep ravine 
with a good stream of water which supplies the Villa. This 
is one of the show-places of Teneriffe, and is easily reached 
from the Orotava valley. The Pear trees were in blossom, 
and the native Elder bushes (Samhucus palmensis) were fully in 
bud. The flowers of the latter are used for making tea. An 
experimental garden started by Mr. Wildpret some years ago 
had the following plants : Bobinia Pseudacacia, the common 
Lilac, the Monterey Pine {Pinus insignis), the Spanish Silver 
Fir {Abies Piiisapo), and A. Norchnanniana. Besides these 
Arancaria imbricata throve in this cool climate, but nowhere 
else in the island. Cydonia japonlca was in flower. The Wal- 
nut grew to a large size. The water in the irrigation gutters 
had a temperature of 54° Fahr. Close by were growing the 
English Forget-me-not, white Clover, and the common Dock. 
Going into the deep gorge there were met with large bushes of 
Cytisus canariensis, covered with sulphur-yellow flowers, also 
the Escobon (C prolifer). The Chain Fern {Woodtoardia radi- 
cans) grew in great luxuriance in most shady places. Asplenium 
umbrosiim was on the banks of streams, with a near neighbour 
in Epilobium tetragonum. Psomlea bitwninosa^ a weed from 
the Mediterranean region, was common everywhere. It appears 
to be of no value. Many other species, such as the Indian 
Turnip of the United States, are food plants. Cistus vaginatus, 
with flowers of a rich-rose colour, was a particularly showy 
plant. This was introduced to Europe in 1779, twenty years 
before Humboldt visited Teneriffe. A very bright coloured-root 
parasite (Cytmus) was noticed on this species. A Rubiaceous 
shrub with white flowers, Phyllis Nobla, formed an attractive 
plant. Lathyrus Apliaca, a common weed in northern climates, 
is grown in Teneriffe as a fodder plant. Numerous white masses 
on the hillside above looked in the distance like a flock of sheep. 
These proved to be clumps of the white-leaved Sideritis rounded 
off by the constant grazing of goats. EcJiium Auberianum was 
the last of the genus passed in our ascent. It is therefore 
