rn Life
is that by Jean Guiraud, in the series _Les Saints_ (translated into
English by Katharine de Mattos, 1901); the bibliography contains a
useful list of the chief sources for the history of St Dominic and the
order, and of the best modern works thereon. See also the article
"Dominicus" in ed. 2 of Wetzer and Welte, _Kirchenlexicon_, and
Grutzmacher's excellent article "Dominikus," in ed. 3 of Herzog,
_Realencyklopadie fur protestantische Theologie_, already referred to.
(E. C. B.)

DOMINICA, the largest of the five presidencies in the colony of the
Leeward Islands, British West Indies. It lies in 15 deg. 30' N. and 61
deg. 20' W., between the French islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe, at
a distance of about 25 m. from each, is 29 m. long, has a maximum
breadth of 16 m. and an area of 291 sq. m. A range of lofty rugged
mountains traverses the island from N. to S., broken in the centre by a
narrow plain drained by the rivers Layou and Pagoua, flowing W. and E.
respectively. The highest point is Morne Diablotin (5314 ft.), situated
in the northern half of the range. Signs of volcanic activity abound in
the shape of solfataras, subterranean vapours and hot springs; while in
the south is the greatest natural curiosity, the renowned Boiling Lake.
It lies on the mountain side, 2300 ft. above the sea, its banks are
steep and its depth unknown, being more than 300 ft. at a short distance
from the margin. Its seething waters are often forced 3 ft. above the
normal level by the pressure of the escaping gases; and the fumes rising
from the lake are occasionally poisonous. The island is botanically
remarkable for its great number of peculiar species, offering in this
respect a marked contrast to the poverty of the adjacent islands. The
hills are covered with valuable timber, while coffee, limes, oranges,
india-rubber trees, spices and all tropical fruits grow luxuriantly in
the rich brown mould of the lowlands. There are some thirty streams of
considerable size, besides numerous mountain torrents, and this
abundance of water renders the island very fertile. The fisheries are
productive, and honey and wax are furnished by wild bees, originally
introduced from Europe. The temperature varies from 78 deg. to 86 deg.
F. in the hot season from August to October, and from 72 deg. to 84 deg.
in the cooler months; the rainfall varies in different parts from 50 to
162 in. per annum, but the porous soil soon