THE NEOTROPICAL REGIONS 



Travelling southward over the Mexican table land, one is at 



once impressed by the great number and variety of the Cacti, 

 which here attain their maximum development, -nine of them 

 being candelabra-like trees 40-50 feet high. With these are asso- 

 ciated various other xerophytes, notably the century plants {Agave 

 spp.), Yuccas and other characteristic American desert tyjx 



With the diminishing breadth of Mexico toward the south, 

 the plateau becomes restricted, and is broken by numerous hills, 

 and in places by swampy areas and lakes, as in the vicinity of 

 Mexico City, so that the flora is much more diversified than in 

 the northern plateau. The climate of this region is mild, with a 

 dry winter and rainy summer, much like that of parts of South 

 Africa. 



The Valley of Mexico for centuries has been the seat of a large 

 population, and is to a great extent under cultivation, or supports 

 herds of cattle. Remains of extensive irrigation and drainage 

 works show that formerly an even greater area was under culti- 

 vation than at present. 



While much of the drier parts of the plateau are covered with 

 Cacti, Agaves, mesquit, and other xerophytes, there are moist 

 canyons and open valleys where vegetation is more luxuriant, and 

 the remains of forest at Amecameca, and some other hills, indicate 

 that much of the open count ry was once covered with forest. 



About Mexico City are extensive fields and gardens where corn, 

 wheat, and the usual vegetables, fruits and flowers of the region 

 are grown. In the summer, the markets show quant it ies of oranges, 

 mangoes, avocadoes, strawberries and the fruits of certain Cacti. 

 Some of these, like the mangoes, probably are brought from the 

 lower country "Tierra caliente." 



The great plantations of centuiy plants, "maguey" in the 

 vernacular, are a feature of the environs of Mexico City. The 

 national drink, "pulque," is the fermented sap obtained by cutting 

 out the great flower-stalk, just before it begins to elongate. The 

 sap collects in the cavity left, and is gathered from day to day as 

 long as it continues to flow. Enormous quantities of pulque arc 

 shipped to the capital daily. From other species of Agave a 

 potent liquor "mescal' is distilled, and several species yield 

 fibres of great strength. Sisal hemp is the product <»!' .1. rigida 

 var. SisiUuid. 



