ALOE. 7 



also mentioned by Plutarch. The name Aloe is retained by 

 all the European nations. 



From the specimens we are in the habit of seeing in this 

 country, we should be inclined to think that the utility of 

 the Aloe far surpassed its beauty, and to rank it, as a ve- 

 getable, with the camel and the elephant in animal life. 

 Like the larger animals, it is confined to hot, or compa- 

 ratively uncivilised countries. Its appearance, which re- 

 sembles a collection of huge leathern claws, armed with 

 prickles, is very formidable ; and even the smaller species 

 have a sort of monstrosity of size in their parts, though 

 small as a whole. But notwithstanding the extraordinary 

 utility of the Aloe, those who have seen it in its native 

 country, and in full flower, describe it as scarcely less re- 

 markable for elegance and beauty. The larger and more 

 useful kinds appear to be also the most beautiful. Rous- 

 seau uses the epithet beautiful, in speaking of the great 

 American Aloe, or Agave. 



" Nature seems to have treated the Africans and Asiatics 

 as barbarians," says St. Pierre, in speaking of the Aloe, " in 

 having given them these at once magnificent, yet monstrous 

 vegetables ; and to have dealt with us as beings capable of 

 sensibility and society. Oh, when shall I breathe the perfume 

 of the honeysuckle ? again repose myself upon a carpet of 

 milk-weed, saffron, and blue-bells, the food of our lowing 

 herds ? and once more hear Aurora welcomed with the 

 songs of the labourer, blessed with freedom and content* ?" 



The kind chiefly used in medicine is the Barbadoes Aloe, 

 the preparations from which are eminent for the nauseous- 

 ness of their bitter. " As bitter as aloes," is a proverbial 

 phrase. It is a common practice with our fair country- 

 women to avail themselves of this bitterness in the Aloe, 

 nr o- r: -r^ e ,>: V v :!(-. tft && |p -.:'* 'io -v.r;.- r " 

 * St. Pierre's Voyage to the Isle of France. 



