255 



OTHER FAMILIES. 

 Agave spp. 



The large pulque agaves are planted in close rows, and form very 

 effectual hedges. 



Bromelia spp. 



Bromelia phujuiii ( .') and perhaps other species are used for hedges, 

 especially as boundary lines between estates. 



Erythrina spp. 



Several species of Erythrina, such as /-,'. Janata and E. flabelliformis, 

 are in common use for hedge fences. 

 Fouquierla spinosa II. P>, K, 



Fouquieria spinosa, so common about Guavmas, is sometimes used as 

 a hedge plant. 

 Verbesina piimatifida Cav. 



Verbesina pinnatijida, which often grows to the height of 3 to 4 

 meters (9 to 12 feet), is a common fence plant, either grown alone or in 

 connection with Jatropha curcas. 



PLANTS YIFLDING WOOD. 



Neowashingtonia sonorae (Witts.) Hose. 1 



At Gnaymas a few trees remain of the rare Neowashingtonia sonorac, 

 but most of them have been cut out and used as rafters for houses. It 

 is said to be a very durable wood. A considerable number of these 

 trees are still to be seen at La Paz, Lower California. 



Saiix sp. 



In the markets at Colotlan rude shoe lasts, said to be made of willow, 

 were for sale. (EB Xo. 23.) 

 Guaiacum coulteri A. (J ray. Guayacan. 



Guayacau is one of the commonest and most useful woods about 

 Guayamas. It is extremely hard and makes a fine iirewood, yielding a 

 great amount of heat. When burnt it gives off a strong, disagreeable, 

 resinous odor which prevents its use as a house wood. It is much used 

 on the Sonoran Railroad as a firewood for engines. It is used in many 

 ways, especially where great strength is required, as in the making of 

 cogwheels, etc. According to Dr. Palmer it has certain medicinal 

 prox>erties. 

 Hippocratea sp. BKJUCO COLORADO. 



The bejuco Colorado is a very useful vine employed all along the west 

 coast in the [dace of ropes, nails, etc. When green it is very pliable 

 and can readily be tied into all kinds of knots, but when dry it becomes 

 fixed and strong (PI. LXI, fig. 1). It is employed in fastening together 

 the framework of huts or in tying down the roofs. In fence building 

 it is employed to bind the various upright pieces together. It also 

 takes the place of the ordinary rope clothesline. One of these clothes- 

 lines which I measured was IS meters (<>0 feet) long and showed little 



1 Waahingtonia xonorae Wats. Proc. Am. Acad. 24:71'. 1880. 



