MADEIRA. 
7 
in their natural luxuriance. These formed a beautiful contrast to 
the trellis of the vineyard, and the light green of the Arundo 
clonax. The torrents from the mountains have formed deep gullies, 
over which we passed by small bridges. The ascent is so steep, 
that the whole of the roads are necessarily paved, or, in the rainy 
season, they would be rendered impassable. Along the centre of 
each an open drain is carried, which takes off the superfluous water. 
Mr. Murdoch's house, at which we arrived in about half an hour, 
is situated in the centre of a garden of sweets. Not satisfied with 
those, which nature has produced, he has spared no trouble or ex- 
pense in obtaining whatever would add to the beauty of the scene. 
The Erythrina corallodendron shone pre-eminent ; and the Jasmi- 
num grandiflorum scented the air, even more strongly than the 
orange and lemon. I was much pleased with the Banksia serrata 
in full bloom, and several other Botany Bay plants, which were 
growing in great luxuriance ; the walls were covered with the Alex- 
andrian laurel' and the Convolvulus speciosus. The Magnolias 
were double the size of any 1 had ever seen; and, contrasted 
with several of the palms, had a very good effect. Mr. Murdoch is 
enabled to keep these, and many other plants, in great luxuriance, 
by means of large reservoirs of water, which in dry seasons is 
regularly distributed to each plant. The Rhododendrons, Kalmias, 
and Azaleas were in a different state, and plainly showed that 
the shallow soil^ and nearly tropical climate of Madeira^ were by 
no means suited to their habit, or even existence. I should not give 
Mr. Murdoch the credit he deserves, if I noticed only his introduc- 
tion of ornamental plants ; he has lately brought in the Shaddock, 
' Ruscus racemosus. 
