CXXIX. AMARYLLIDACE^. 753 



The following plants not belonging to any of the above-named genera 

 are grown as ornamental or useful plants : — 



PoUanthes tuherosa, Linn. Sp. PI. (1753) p. 316. The Tuberose, much 

 cultivated in gardens in the Presidency and more or less throughout 

 India; a native of Mexico, growing 3-4 ft. high. Leaves radical or oa 

 the lower part of the stem. Plowers white, very fragrant, in long 

 terminal simple racemes ; perianth funnel-shaped. Grab. Cat. p. 217 ; 

 Dalz. & Gibs. Suppl. p. 90; Woodr, in Journ. Bomb. Nat. v. 12 

 (1899) p. 524; Watt, Diet Econ. Prodr. v. 6, part 1, p. 312.— 

 Vbbn. &ulchabu. 



A number of important fibre-yielding plants belonging to the genera 

 Agave and Furcrcea have been introduced into India, some of which 

 Iiave become naturalized. 



The following synopsis of the plants belonging to these genera 

 which are cultivated or naturalized in the Bombay Presidency has been 

 prepared from the paper entitled " Notes on Agave and Farcrcea in 

 India," by Drummond and Prain, of which the authors have been good 

 enough to let me see a copy in advance. The following Key has been 

 prepared for me by Mr. Drummond : — 



Stainens in bud inflexed under the tips of the perianth-segments ; 

 after sestiration resilient and much longer tban the perianth- 

 segments 1. Agave. 



Stamens about equalling the perianth-segments 2. FurcrjEA. 



1. AGAVE, Linn. 

 Sect. I. Euagave. Inflorescence candelabriform. 



Perianth-segments narrowed from about the middle to a ligulate 



tip ; 1. A. sisalana 



Perianth-segments not constricted towards the tip. 



Leaves in a close globose rosette 2. A. Wightii. 



Leaves in a lax rosette or tufted. 



Leaves narrow, hnear-oblong 3. A. Cantala. 



Leaves distinctly broader at or above the middle. 



Neck of leaf sharply constricted 4. A. americana. 



Neck of leaf hardly constricted 6. A. Vera-C'ruz. 



1. Agave sisalana, Perrine, ex Engelmann, in Trans. Acad. Sc. St. 

 Louis, V. 3 (1873) pp. 316-318 ; Drummond & Prain, in Agricultural 

 Ledger, No. 7 (1906) p. 89. Native country unknown ; imported from 

 Central America and the West Indies to India between 1885 and 1892, 

 and grown on a small scale in the Bombay Presidency for its fibre. 

 Mr. Woodrow endeavoured to raise a Company to grow the plant on a 

 large scale in Bombay, but his eff'orts were unsuccessful. The species 

 varies in India as regards the presence or absence of spines on the leaf- 

 margins. Agave rigida var. sisalana, Woodr. in Journ. Bomb. Nat. 

 V. 12 (1899) p. 522.— Flowers : Jau.-Mar. 



2. Agave Wightii, Drummond & Prain, in Agricultural Ledger, No. 7 

 (1906) p. 91. Believed to be a native of St. Vincent (W. Indies), widely 

 naturalized and planted for hedges in S. India, where it was probably 

 introduced in the 17th century by the Portuguese or Dutch. Agave 

 vivipara, Wight, Icon. t. 2024; Woodr. in Journ. Bomb. Nat. v. 12 

 (1899) p. 522 (short-leaved form). Agave Cantala, Dalz. & Gibs. E'. 



VOL. II. 3 D 



