AMAHYLLIS TRIBE. 599 



gardens, both in conservatories and in the open air, is 

 very great. The bulbous roots of many plants belonging 

 to the Amaryllis Tribe are poisonous ; some, it is said, 

 to such a degree that deleterious properties are commu- 

 nicated to weapons dipped in their juice. The roots of 

 the Snowdrop and Daffodil are emetic, and the flowers 

 of the last (Narcissus Pseudo-Narcissus) are a dangerous 

 poison. The roots of some species, however, are nutri- 

 tious, affording a kind of arrowroot. From the juice of 

 a kind of Agave (A. Americana) a fermented liquor is 

 made, which, under the name of " pulque," is in Mexico 

 a common beverage. This plant, called by the Mexicans 

 " maguey," is cultivated over an extent of country em- 

 bracing 50,000 square miles. In the city of Mexico 

 alone the consumption of pulque amounts to the enor- 

 mous quantity of eleven millions of gallons, and a 

 considerable revenue from its sale is derived by govern- 

 ment. The plant attains maturity in a period varying 

 from eight to fourteen years, when it flowers ; and it is 

 during the stage of flowering alone that the juice is 

 extracted. The central stem, which encloses the flower- 

 bud, is then cut off near the bottom, and a cavity or 

 basin is discovered, over which the leaves are drawn 

 close, and tied. Into this reservoir the juice distils, 

 which otherwise would have risen to nourish and support 

 the flower. It is removed three or four times during 

 the 24 hours, yielding a quantity of liquor varying 

 from a quart to a gallon and a half. The juice is ex- 

 tracted by means of a syphon made of a species of gourd, 

 and deposited in bowls. It is then placed in earthen 

 jars, and a little old pulque is added, when it soon 

 ferments and is immediately ready for use. The ferment- 

 ation occupies two or three days, and when it ceases it 

 is in fine order. Old pulque has an unpleasant odour, 

 which has been compared to that of putrid meat ; but 

 when fresh it is brisk and sparkling. In time even 

 Europeans prefer it to any other liquor. This Agave is 

 popularly known in England by the name of American 



