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obtained both at Bolafios and (iuadalajara. At the former place I was 

 told that the roots were used in every household of the towu. The 

 plants are said to grow high up in the Sierra Madre. They are brought 

 down by the Huichole Indians, and this forms the principal occupation 

 of many of them. The part of the plant which is used as soap is really 

 not the root, but a thick, irregular rootstock sometimes forming large 

 masses (PL XXXIV). The natives dry these rootstocks, and when 

 grated and put into water they form a good lather. 

 The specimens obtained are: 



Eli No. (>L. Amole. ]5ought in the market at liolafios. 

 EH No. 12. Amole. ] Sought in the market at Ctindalajara. 



Specimens were purchased by Dr. Palmer in 1898 at Zacatecas of 

 another amole which has a quite different rootstock from that of A, 

 brack ystachys, belonging perhaps to A. guttata. The rootstocks are 

 always single, 5 to (J.25 cm. (2 to 2£ inches) long. Dr. Palmer states 

 that a frequent way of preparing it, practiced by the Mexicans, is to 

 mash or pound the rootstocks between stones, put the powder into a 

 small quantity of water, and, after allowing it to soak, drain the water 

 off into the wash water. 



It is not at all unlikely that quite a number of the species of Man- 

 freda are used as soap, but have not yet been reported. The roots 

 which arc sold in the markets are brought in by the Indians or country 

 people without any vestige of foliage or dowers, and of course are not 

 in condition for identification. These roots, however, are very tena- 

 cious of life and can be planted long after they have been taken from 

 the ground. Dry rootstocks which I purchased in Mexico showed 

 considerable vitality after sixteen months. 



Prochnyanthes viridescens Wats. Amolili.a. 



"Amolilla" was the name given to mo for Prochnyanthes viridescens, 

 a common plant of the mountains with rootstocks very similar to those 

 of the herbaceous Agaves and said to be used for soap in the same 

 way. ( 1 1 orb. Eos. 2045, 2679, 3724, etc.) 



PIPERACEAE. 

 Piper palmeri C. DC. 1 1 ac hooch. 



This plant was collected by Dr. Palmer at Colima. He states that 

 it is used by laundresses for cleaning clothes, and that the liquid 

 obtained by boiling it is used to cure colic in man and in horses and 

 mules, and for pains in the stomach and chest, also for cutaneous 

 diseases. It is applied either externally or internally. The fruits, 

 which resemble small candles, are edible. 



PHYTOLACCACEAE. 



Stegnosperma halimifolia Itonth. 



The powdered root of Stegnosperma* halimifolia is used by the people 

 of Lower California, according to Dr. E. Palmer, as a substitute for soap. 



