Personal Narrative of Travels to the Equinoctial Regions of America, During the Year 1799-1804 - Volume 2

Excerpt: ... Chapter II. Stay at Teneriffe.--Journey from Santa Cruz to Orotava.--Excursion to the summit of the Peak of Teyde. From the time of our departure from Graciosa, the horizon continued so hazy, that, notwithstanding the considerable height ... Read more

Excerpt: ... Chapter II. Stay at Teneriffe.--Journey from Santa Cruz to Orotava.--Excursion to the summit of the Peak of Teyde. From the time of our departure from Graciosa, the horizon continued so hazy, that, notwithstanding the considerable height of the mountains of Canary, we did not discover that island till the evening of the 18th of June. It is the granary of the archipelago of the Fortunate Islands; and, what is very remarkable in a region situated beyond the limits of the tropics, we were assured, that in some districts, there are two wheat harvests in the year; one in February, and the other in June. Canary has never been visited by a learned mineralogist; yet this island is so much the more worthy of observation, as the physiognomy of its mountains, disposed in parallel chains, Less