220 A DESCRIPTION OF THE ALOE. 



which are likely to survive after the layers are taken off, should 

 be placed in the warmest situation in the garden, and be defended 

 from severe frosts and heavy rains during winter, by mats and 

 hoops. When the spring approaches the plants will require to be 

 fresh potted like other plants; by this treatment it is likely they 

 will become strong and healthy and grow flowers equal, if not 

 superior to those they formerly produced. 



ARTICLE. III. 

 ON A DESCRIPTION OF THE ALOE. 



BY POMONA. 



The Aloe is a genus of succulent plants belonging to the natural 

 order Asphodelcae, and comprehends a considerable number of 

 species which differ from each other exceedingly in the size, 

 form, and surface of their leaves, in stature, and in the colour, 

 size, and structure of their flowers. The greater part of them 

 are mere objects of curiosity, are only seen in collections of 

 succulent, plants, and in this country they are generally placed 

 upon lawns or before the edifices of gentlemen, where they have 

 a very pleasing effect ; but there are among them a species of 

 very great value on account of its yielding the well-known medi- 

 cine of the same name. 



From what particular species the resinous substance called 

 Aloes is procured, and whether the different samples known under 

 the name of Hepatic, Soccotrine, and Horse Aloes are yielded 

 by different species, or are only different qualities of the same 

 species, are points not clearly settled 



All that appears certain is, that plants nearly related to Aloe 

 peifoliata of Linnaeus, which some consider as distinct species 

 while others pronounce them mere varieties of the same, are 

 what the drug is prepared from. In all probability, all the spe- 

 cies of the genus, having an aborescent stem and thick succulent 

 leaves, will yield the substance equally well. 



That which has the reputation of producing the best aloes is 

 A. Socotrina ; a plant having, when old, a round stem, three or 

 four feet high ; leaves of a sword form a foot and half to two feet 

 long, sharp edged, sawed, hard and pungent at the apex, often 

 collected in clusters at the top of the stem, and red flowers 



