XVIII 
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 
