. 233 



who obtain their supply from the Organ Mountains, near Las Cruces, 

 N. Mex. This company manufactures some twenty different kinds of 

 soap preparations. 1 



AMARYLLIDACEAE. 



Agave heteiacantha Zhcc. 



Dr. E. Palmer has recently (November, 1898) brought back a large 

 quantity of the rootstock of an Agave, probably A. lietcraeantha, or a 

 species very near it, which he says is largely sold in the market at 

 Saltillo, Coahuila, for soap. These rootstocks, or bases of the stem, 

 are about 7.5 cm. (3 inches) long, 3.$ to 5 cm. (1| to 2 inches) in 

 diameter, and are covered with black scales or leaf bases. These 

 pieces are sold in the open markets at G or 8 for a cent, according to 

 size. They are prepared for use much as are the other native amoles. 



Agave lechuguilla Torr. 



Agave lechuguilla is very common on the hills about VA Paso, both in 

 Texas and Mexico, where I obtained botanical specimens. Dr. Havard 

 states that the leaves contain a valuable substitute for soap. (Herb. 

 No. 1101.) 

 Agave variegata Jacohi. 



Mr. Fred. Stark, of Brownsville, Tex., writes that the rootstock of 

 this species is called "amole," and that a piece the size of a small 

 walnut when "grated ami mixed with a quart of warm water is enough 

 to clean a full suit of clothes." 

 Agave sp. I Amole. 



Dr. Palmer procured in the market at Guaymas specimens of another 

 soap plant with leaves resembling those of Agave angutitissima Engelm. 

 As noted by him, it is found in the mountains near that place. The 

 stems are cut off just above the ground and the leaf clusters, two tied 

 up together, a smaller within a larger one, are brought to market to be 

 sold as a substitute for soap. This material after being pounded is 

 thrown into water to be used for washing blankets or woolen clothing. 

 Manfreda spp. Amolk. 



The herbaceous annual-leaved agaves (§ Manfreda of most authors) 

 are called "amole" all over Mexico in contrast with the perennial-leaved 

 ones (Agave proper), which are called "maguey." These are used as 

 generic terms, and throughout my whole trip I did not find them used 

 interchangeably. This is, I know, at variance with many printed state- 

 ments. The species of the Manfreda group most generally used is 

 supposed to be Agave brachystachys, sometimes called A. saponaria on 

 account of its use as soap. 1 did not see this species in flower or even 

 growing, but I brought back roots which are now in cultivation and 

 will sooner or later flower. The roots were purchased in the markets 

 where they were being sold under the name of amole. Specimens were 



1 For further notes on the use of this plant see Havard in Proceedings U. S. 

 National Museum, vol. 8, p. 516, 18S5. 

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