xvin CANELOS TO BANGS 137 



were split along the middle and the two halves 

 placed alongside, with the point of one to the base 

 of the other ; but of the Wettinia, the pinnae of one 

 side were doubled over so as to fall between those 

 of the other side, and as they are remarkably 

 canaliculate -concave, a series of alternate convex 

 and concave surface was thus obtained, resembling 

 remarkably well the tiled roof of a house. Several 

 entire fronds with their pinnae in the natural posi- 

 tion were fastened along the top of the roof, so as 

 to throw the rain both ways. On the ground 

 beneath other palm-leaves were extended, and on 

 these were placed our beds and boxes. The fire 

 was made midway, under the ridge of the roof. 

 A stick set up on each side, to sustain a cord 

 stretching across the fire, was essential for hanging 

 up our wet garments through the night to dry and 

 smoke. Two of the cargueros were considered my 

 personal attendants on the way, viz. the one who 

 carried my bed, the necessary changes of linen, and 

 other things likely to be needed, in a waterproof 

 bag ; and the one who carried the provisions in a 

 saparo, a nearly cylindrical basket 3 feet long and 

 2 feet in diameter, covered by a lid made of an 

 outer and an inner framework woven of the liana 

 Tamshe, with two or three layers of leaves of Vijao 

 securely packed between them so that no rain could 

 enter. The duty of these men was to erect my 

 rancho, and collect me firewood sufficient to 

 burn through the night. When we had got our 

 house set up and the necessary fuel and water 

 brought to it, my first care was to prepare coffee 

 -the greatest consolation a traveller can have after 

 a day's work in the wet forest. After coffee a salt 



