FLOWERS. 89 
In no other country, perhaps, is the Aloe so gene- 
rally serviceable as in America. 
The rope bridges of Mexico, so often named as 
dangerous to the traveller unaccustomed to cross 
them, are formed entirely of cords made of the fibrous 
parts of its root. These bridges, swung over some 
foaming torrent, have pieces of the bamboo stem 
placed at small intervals across the ropes, disclosing 
through their interstices the dashing of the waters ; 
and their rude structure, oscillating either with the 
wind or the unsteady footsteps of the passengers, 
might appal the heart of the strongest and bravest 
strangers, while the Indian passes lightly and fear- 
lessly over. 
The leaves of the Aloe, when baked, form an ex- 
cellent article of food, and from the juice, sugar and 
medicines are prepared. The strong flower stems 
serve as beams for the roofs of the Indian dwellings, 
and the leaves supply the place of tiles. 
In former times the Aloe was extensively cultivated 
for the manufacture of paper, and great quantities 
were evidently used in the time of the Montezumas 
in painting hieroglyphics. The paper produced from 
this plant resembles that made by the Egyptians 
from the papyrus. The ancient Mexican manuscripts, 
which have received so much attention from the 
learned, and upon whose records is based the history 
of that injured and interesting people, were painted 
chiefly upon paper made from the fibre of the aloe. 
Many of these “ picture writings,” as they have been 
called, are still preserved at Mexico. 
