8^8 . National Geographic Magazine. 



But whatever the form of the tree trunks may be, the shallow 

 soil upon the hills and the marshy soil in the lowlands, has taught 

 them that there is greater safety and stability in a broad founda- 

 tion than in a deeply penetrating one, and so almost without 

 exception the tree roots spread out widely, on, or near, the sur- 

 face. Beneath the protecting shelter of these patriarchs^ as com- 

 pletely protected from scorching sun and rushing wind as if in a 

 conservatory, grow innumerable varieties of palms, young trees 

 destined Some day to be giants themselves, and others which 

 never attain great size. Still lower down, luxuriate smaller palms, 

 tree ferns, and dense underbrush, and countless vines. These 

 latter, however, are by no means confined to the underbrush, 

 many of them climb to the very tops of the tallest trees, cling 

 about their trunks and bind them to other trees and to the 

 ground with the toughest of ropes. With one or two excep- 

 tions these vines are an unmitigated nuisance. To them more 

 than to anything else is due the impenetrableness of the tropical 

 thicket. Of all sizes and all as tough as hemp lines, they creep 

 along the ground, catching the traveler's feet in a mesh from 

 which release is possible only by cutting. They bind the under- 

 brush together in a tough, elastic mat, which catches and holds 

 on to every projection about the clothes, jerking revolvers from 

 belts, and wrenching the rifle from the hand, or, hanging in trap- 

 like loops from the trees, catch one about the neck, or constantly 

 drag one's hat from the head. The one exception noted above is 

 the hejuco de agua or water vine. This vine, which looks like an 

 old worn manilla rope, is to be found hanging from or twined 

 about almost every large tree upon elevated ground, and to the 

 hot and thirsty explorer it furnishes a most deliciously cool and 

 clear draught. 



Seizing the vine in the left hand, a stroke of the niachHe severs 

 it a foot or two below the hand, and another quick stroke severs 

 it again above the hand ; immediately a stream of clear, tasteless 

 water issues from the lower end and may be caught in a dipper 

 or d la native directly in the mouth. A three-foot length of vine 

 two inches in diameter will furnish at least a pint of water. The 

 order of cutting mentioned above must invariably be adhered to, 

 otherwise, if the upper cut be made first, the thirsty novice will 

 find he has in his hand only a piece of dry cork-like rope. 



It is practically impossible to judge of the age of the huge trees 

 in these forests. Mighty with inherent strength, stayed to the 



