THE PLANTS AND GARDENS OF THE CANARY ISLANDS. 87 
a vast succession of precipitous ravines on the western side, 
affords the grandest scenery in the island. The Barranco de 
Tn-ajana, opening towards the south-east, and starting from the 
shoulders of the Pico Pozos, the highest point in Grand Canary, 
presents some bold and rugged scenery. The only prominent 
vegetation in this part are the Pine trees (Pinars) which crown 
the distant ridges. 
The immediate neighbourhood of Las Palmas and the port is 
the least interesting part of Grand Canary. The native vegeta- 
tion is very scanty, and requires to be carefully sought for. On 
the Isleta, beyond the port, there are scattered amongst the lava 
heaps and ashes many plants that repay a visit. From Las 
Palmas the land rises in a succession of terraces, and each ledge 
brings the visitor nearer to the heart of the country, w^here 
streams and verdure afford a more refreshing aspect than the 
bare rocks and barren slopes of the coast region. There are 
good carriage roads to the west as far as Guia and Gaidar, 
25 miles, and in course of being carried on to Agaete, 31 
miles distant. To the south there is an equally good road 
through Telde to Aguimes, 18 miles. To the interior the road 
to Gaidar branches off beyond Tamaracite to Teror, 13 miles ; 
a delightful little town under the Peak of Osorios, at an elevation 
of 1,750 feet. From Teror numerous fertile valleys are reached 
full of interesting plants, as well as the high mountains in the 
centre of the island. In a south-westerly direction a road 
leaves Las Palmas for Tafira, 1,080 feet; Monte, 1,320 feet ; 
within easy reach of Sta. Brigida, 1,580 feet ; and terminating at 
San Mateo, 2,680 feet. The latter place is 13 miles from Las 
Palmas. It is in the heart of the mountains. Both the western 
and southern parts of the island can be explored from this centre. 
As in Teneriffe, the coast region is chieHy characterised by 
species of Euphorbia, the most striking being the columnar form 
of the " Cardon " {E. canariensis) , and its almost inseparable 
companions the miniature Dragon-tree {Senecio Kleinia) and the 
graceful Plocama i^endula. The more precipitous rocks are 
sprinkled with the rosettes of many species of Sempervivum. 
In winter the yellow masses of flowers of S. holochrysum are 
very conspicuous. Between Las Palmas and the port is an 
expanse of sand blown over from the coast of Africa. In this 
grow large bushes, almost trees, of Tamarix gallica. There are 
