BOILING LAKE OF DOMINICA. 65 



lycopodium, which is not found elsewhere in any 

 abundance. 



We retraced our steps about an hour before sun- 

 set, and found on the hillside a comfortable camp, 

 constructed by Francois and Joseph during our ab- 

 sence. The ajou-pa, or camp constructed in haste, is a 

 peculiarity of these forests. Regarding the etymology 

 of the word, I am in doubt. Humboldt speaks of 

 the ajufas, or kings' houses, among the Caribs of 

 South America, which were used as houses of enter- 

 tainment for travelers. Whatever the origin of the 

 term, it is now fixed in the patois of the mountain- 

 eers to designate a hut thrown up hastily for tem- 

 porary occupation — ■ what we, in America, would'call 

 a "camp." My men first constructed a framework of 

 light poles, tied together with roots and vines, and 

 covered it with the broad leaves of the balisier, or 

 wild plantain (Hcliconia behia). This plant, which 

 grows everywhere in shade and moisture, is one of 

 the attractive features of the vegetation here. Its leaf 

 is like an elongated banana-leaf, but not so wide, and 

 with greater strength and toughness. 



Like the palm, this plant serves a great variety of 

 uses. Its root is boiled and fed to hogs, I believe ; 

 the mid-rib of the leaf is stripped and split and woven 

 into baskets ; the leaves are used for the thatching of 

 huts, as substitutes for table-cloths and plates in the 

 woods, as envelopes in which to w r rap anything of 

 soft nature, as. butter or honey, — in fact, as wrap- 

 ping for everything portable, the tissue is so fine and 

 flexible. The young leaves are our substitute for 

 drinking-cups ; and it is more convenient to twist ofF 

 an overhanging leaf and throw it away when done, 

 5 



