CLASS HEXANDIUA. 89 



single piece, within which are the stamens. The 

 Polyanthus Narcissus (JV. tazetta), and the Jonquil 

 (JV. jonquilla), so called from its rush-like, narrow 

 leaves, are remarkably fragrant, and bear forcing, or 

 bringing early into flower, in Water-glasses, in the 

 ordinary temperature of a dwelling-room. 



The Agave or American Aloe, referred to the 

 Bromeli/E or natural order of the Pine Apple, is a 

 very remarkable genus, of which there is one species 

 growing native in Virginia and the southern states. 

 The corolla, of a greenish color, is superior, erect and 

 tubular, or funnel-form. The stamina are erect, and 

 extend beyond the corolla. The capsule is bluntly 

 triangular and many-seeded. The tardy flowering 

 species, A. americana, of Mexico, which in cold cli- 

 mates has been cultivated near a century before flow- 

 ering, arrives at this state in 6 or 7 years in its native 

 climate, and in the warmth of Sicily. Before this pe- 

 riod the plant presents nothing but a perpetually un- 

 folding cone of long, rather narrow, but thick and 

 fleshy leaves, pointed, and beset on their margins with 

 strong thorns. Before flowering, this cone and cluster 

 of leaves attains an enormous bulk and developement, 

 at length, it swells more than usual, the circulation of 

 the sap in the outer leaves becomes visibly retarded, 

 and they put on a shrivelled aspect. At this period, 

 the Mexicans who cultivate this plant which they call 

 magui, tap it for the juice with which it now abounds, 

 and many gallons of sap continue for a time to exude 

 from this vegetable fountain. From this liquor, when 

 fermented, is distilled the common spirit drank through- 

 out that country, and when the plant is finally exhaust- 

 ed, its tenaceous and abundant fibres afford a durable 

 hemp or flax. If suffered to flower, it sends up a 

 central scapus 18 to 30 feet high, resembling a huge 

 chandelier with numerous clustered branches, bearing 

 8* 



