798 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



be considered a highly specialized offshoot. There is immense 

 variation in the foliage characters of agave, from the slender 



FIG. 8. YUCCA GUATKMALENSIS. 



reed-like leaves of Agave geminifolia to the massive blades of 

 Agave Americana. The character of the inflorescence has been 



