56 



FAMILIES OF FLOWERING PLANTS. 



true that these plants attain an age of one hundred years before pro- 

 ducing flowers, but the development is slow, and after the plant has 

 actually blossomed and fruited it dies outright. Figure 46 shows a 

 species of Agave that grows wild on the keys of South Florida {A. 

 Slsalmia). Its tall, candelabra-like masses of flowers are easily dis- 

 cernible some distance away. The fresh leaves are used by many of 

 the residents of the Keys in lieu of razor strops, and are con- 

 sidered superior to the manufactured article. Figure 47 illustrates 

 the proliferous flower-stalks of the same species. In Mexico the 



Fig. 48. — Southern Spider lAly {Hijineiinrallis Curibuea), After photograph by Mr. G. N. 

 Collins, Upper Matecumbe Key, Florida. 



agave is one of the most important economic plants. Its fermented 

 juice yields the native driuk pulque, while the same product distilled 

 yields mescal. A most valuable tiber is extracted from the leaves, and 

 the fresh juice is employed in the manufacture of soap. 



Mention should be made of the peculiar appendage to the perianth, 

 known as the cToirn, which is found in the flowers of JVarcissirs and 

 related genera. This may be seen in the accom})anying illustration 

 (Fig. 48) of the Southern Spider Lily, a species of Ilymenocallis 

 growing wild on the Florida Keys. 



