GIANT ALOE. 233 



Mediterranean, and especially in dry districts on 

 the confines of Portugal and Spain. Resembling in 

 the distance a majestic candlestick, with successive 

 branches, its smooth green flowering stem rises from 

 the centre of a tuft of leaves, while the branches 

 that bear the individual clusters bend downwards 

 near the stem in double curves, and upwards near 

 the flowers. The rind or epidermis is beautifully 

 adapted to the local disadvantages of the soil and 

 climate in which the Agave flourishes. This, in 

 common with the covering assigned to the leaves 

 and stem of other plants which grow in hot or dry 

 places, powerfully resists the action of heat, and 

 the whole plant is in consequence when young 

 extremely juicy. The juice contains both alkali 

 and oil, and hence the agave is used in many parts 

 of the Spanish peninsula as a substitute for soap. 

 Cattle are also fed on the sliced or bruised leaves, 

 when the pastures are burnt up during the summer 

 months. 



Agaves abound especially in Mexico. They give a 

 peculiar character to the landscape. Far as the 

 eye can reach extend fields covered with agaves, 

 planted in rows at the distance of fifty-eight inches 

 from each other. These plants begin to yield their 

 juice when the flower-bud is on the point of de- 

 velopement, and as the plant is destroyed if the in- 

 cision be made long before the appearance of the 

 flower-bud, it is of great importance to ascertain 

 the state of growth. The cultivator, therefore, goes 

 regularly through his plantation, and notices the 

 gradual approach to efflorescence, and, if in doubt, 

 he applies to an aged Indian whose judgment from 



