The climate of the island of Madeira : and the errors and misrepresentations of some recent authors on this subject, considered in a letter addressed to George Lund, M.D. / by James Mackenzie Bloxam.

  • Bloxam, James Mackenzie.
Date:
1854
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The climate of the island of Madeira : and the errors and misrepresentations of some recent authors on this subject, considered in a letter addressed to George Lund, M.D. / by James Mackenzie Bloxam. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    sunny sky, and luxuriant vegetation, calculated at least to charm the senses ? After his prefatory flourish respecting no opinion being hazarded without the support of positive data, what are the facts with respect to Madeira, even upon Dr. Burgess's own representation ? Are we to understand that Madeira is, or is not, warm and sunny ? Are we to understand that mould upon boots is the vegetation re- ferred to, in the author's summing up, as so peculiarly luxuriant and agreeable to the senses ? Lastly, is it a fact, as Dr. Burgess alleges, that the land and sea breezes of this blessed island blow, each from one point of the compass only; and that the salubrity of the island mainly depends upon this strange phenomenon ? With respect to the luxuriance of the vegetation of Ma- deira, Dr. Burgess perhaps thinks that, since tradition and romance are on his side of the question, no positive data are required. This, however, is by no means in accord- ance with my views. So far as my knowledge extends, there is scarcely a spot to be found where there is mois- ture sufficient to support luxuriant vegetation, without the assistance of artificial irrigation. It is true that artifi- cial irrigation is carried to a great extent; nevertheless the more general character of the surface of the country is dryness, barrenness, and absence of luxuriant vegeta- tion. Even grass for horses and cows is brought down daily from the mountains; and in the summer, even on the mountains, the grass becomes so dry that a spark of fire will endanger the whole district. The whole island is of volcanic origin; its surface is either precipitous, or very much inclined, and the soil is of a porous nature. AV ith the exception of a volcanic crater, and one or two other spots at distant parts of the island, none of which have I ever seen, I believe there are no hollows or basins capable of retaining water; and those to which I allude as the exceptions, do so only for limited periods. I have never seen a lake or even a pond. There are some yam- grounds which, I should suppose, must be injurious to the health of those persons who live on or close to them ; but they are quite unworthy of further notice in this place.
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