A. sisalana Perrine and A. fourcroydes Lem. are both 
extensively cultivated as fiber plants and are apparently 
natives of the Yucatan Peninsula, where they were prob- 
ably cultivated on a smaller scale in ancient times. Many 
wild species of Agave, and of Mourcroya, Yucca and 
Bromela as well, may be utilized as fiber sources. Even 
in the wild state the agaves are not too well understood, 
because, like the cacti, their habit is so poorly suited to 
the preparation of specimens. Extensive field work is 
necessary to study such a group properly. (48, 182%, 
156, 164*, 191*, 192) 
Amaranthus leucocarpus S. Wats., A. cruentus 
L.: Huauhth, bledos, alegria, amaranth. 
The great importance of these plants as ‘‘cereals’” in 
ancient Mexico is clearly indicated by the tribute lists 
for the empire of Moctezuma (178), which indicate an 
annual levy of about 200,000 bushels of ‘‘huauhtli’’ or 
amaranth seed, as compared to about 280,000 bushels of 
maize and 230,000 bushels of beans. The grain amaranths 
have been poorly understood, but a recent careful ethno- 
botanical study by Sauer (178) has gone far to improve 
the situation. 4. leucocarpus is still grown over a wide 
area in Mexico and Guatemala. A. cruentus occurs in 
the same area, but less extensively, and appears to be 
more important in Guatemala than A. lewcocarpus. The 
great decline in cultivation of this useful plant in post- 
Columbian times is due, at least in part, to its suppres- 
sion by the Spaniards because of its important role in 
Mexican religious ceremonies. 
The grain amaranths are, by their botanical relation- 
ships, undoubtedly of American origin. Sauer suggests 
that A. leucocarpus may be most closely allied to 4. 
hybridus LL. and A. Powell S. Wats., both of Mexico 
and Central America, while A. cruentus seems most 
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