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 Frangois and Joseph during our ab- 
sence. The ajoupa, 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 ajupas, 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 daliszer, or 
wild plantain (Heliconda 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 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, 
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