54 



FIRST STEPS IN GENERAL KNOWLEDGE. 



Robert asked if it is true that the aloe only 

 flowers once in a hundred years, and was answered 

 in the negative. 



"The agave, of which 

 this fable is told, is a 

 hardy and useful plant, 

 forming in its native 

 country excellent hedges, 

 which it is impossible to 

 penetrate. The fibres of 

 the leaves are used as 

 thread, and are manufac- 

 tured into paper. Some 

 of the families contained 

 in this tribe have a poi- 

 sonous juice in their bulbs, 

 especially a species* grow- 

 ing at the Cape of Good 

 Hope, in which the Hot- 

 tentots are said to dip 

 their arrow-heads. Here 

 is one of our prettiest 

 spring flowers, the Nar- 

 cissus, but this, as well as 



* H&manthus toxicarius. 



