80 
CBUISE OF H.M.S . CHALLENGES. 
On the 1st July anchored off the town of Horta, 
in the island of Fayal, hut on ascertaining from the 
health officer that a small-pox epidemic had broken 
out, it was deemed prudent not to land, and therefore 
on the next day proceeded for St. Michael’s, which 
was reached on the 4th ; finding it healthy, it was 
determined to remain for a few days. 
These islands, known as the Azores, lie in the midst of 
the Atlantic, occupying a line of about 300 miles from 
N.N.W. to E.S.E., and are peculiarly remarkable for 
the incessant gales to which they are subject through- 
out the year, and on this account, joined to that of 
being destitute of any port that can offer a safe re- 
treat and shelter to vessels, they have hitherto been 
held somewhat in dread and avoided by the trader. 
The wdiole range, it is evident, is of submarine 
volcanic formation, symptoms of which are manifest 
to the geologist at almost every step. Their general 
aspect is certainly very picturesque, presenting, as 
they do, a series of scattered conical hills, which 
are in most cases extinct volcanoes, the sides of 
which are now beautifully clothed with verdant 
heaths and shrubs. Nature appears to have been 
very bountiful in bestowing on it all the advantages 
that a fine atmosphere and a pure air can impart. 
In the private gardens in the immediate vicinity 
of the town are to be seen all the rare productions of 
flowers and shrubs that usually constitute our Euro- 
pean conservatories, tastefully mingled with orna- 
