FLOWERS. 39 



In no other country, perhaps, is the Aloe so gene- 

 rally serviceable as in America. 



The rope bridges of Mexico, so often named as 

 dangerous to the traveller unaccustomed to cross 

 them, are formed entirely of cords made of the fibrous 

 parts of its root. These bridges, swung over some 

 foaming torrent, have pieces of the bamboo stem 

 placed at small intervals across the ropes, disclosing 

 through their interstices the dashing of the waters ; 

 and their rude structure, oscillating either with the 

 wind or the unsteady footsteps of the passengers, 

 might appal the heart of the strongest and bravest 

 strangers, while the Indian passes lightly and fear- 

 lessly over. 



The leaves of the Aloe, when baked, form an ex- 

 cellent article of food, and from the juice, sugar and 

 medicines are prepared. The strong flower stems 

 serve as beams for the roofs of the Indian dwellings, 

 and the leaves supply the place of tiles. 



In former times the Aloe was extensively cultivated 

 for the manufacture of paper, and great quantities 

 were evidently used in the time of the Montezumas 

 in painting hieroglyphics. The paper produced from 

 this plant resembles that made by the Egyptians 

 from the papyrus. The ancient Mexican manuscripts, 

 which have received so much attention from the 

 learned, and upon whose records is based the history 

 of that injured and interesting people, were painted 

 chiefly upon paper made from the fibre of the aloe. 

 Many of these " picture writings," as they have been 

 called, are still preserved at Mexico. 



