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 ajoufia, 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 ajuftas, 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 balisicr, or 

 wild plantain {Hcliconia bchia). 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 lable-cloths and plates in the 

 woods, as envelopes in w r hich to wrap 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 



