t 4 ] 



to some extent towards the margins. The cellular tissue is 

 replete, in most species, with mucilage * and different salts ; it 

 takes up and stores water in great quantity, and gives out 

 under certain conditions a sweet sap or mead (as in the case 

 of the "Pulque "-producing species). A nectar is secreted also 

 by the flowers of most' of the Euagavcs. 



The skin of the leaves is so arranged as to check trans- 

 piration (Mm. JBot. Oard. Rep. F7/, p. 52}. True hairs nre 

 altogether absent. Certain Furcraeas have the cuticle of the 

 under surface of the leaf equipped with minute tubercles, 

 making the surface to the touch like sandpaper. 



The leaves are arranged on the trunk or " catidex " in a more 

 or less regular spiral ; when the spiral is dense, a marked 

 "rosette" is formed (as in "**A. vivipara ") ; in other species 

 again, such as A. sisalana, the leaves have the appearance of 

 being tufted.f The angle formed by the leaf with the main 

 axis varies greatly as between species; in the same species 

 it is almost mathematically constant. 



All Agaves were formerly supposed to require long periods 

 before attaining maturity, and to perish after flowering ; 

 but experience has shewn that several species are truly 

 polycarpic. As a rule, however, the Euagaves are mono- 

 cat-pic. (Of. Watson in Oard. Chron. 1. 1897 pp. 166-167.) 

 A. americana Linn, is the most variable as regards the 

 period of flowering, but the recorded instances of prolonged 

 dormancy are due probably to the specimens being cultivated 

 in the north of Europe. 



A. Vera-Cruz Miller appears to " pole " iu South Spain 

 after six years oil an average, or on the Adriatic after twelve or 

 fourteen, in a naturalized condition. In North India most 

 of the Agaves (except A. americana, Linn.) seem to pole from 

 their fifth to their seventh year, but if that be passed without 

 flowering then not till the twelfth or fourteenth. 



The Yucatan Indians are said to have a secret by which 

 they can tell when the " Sacqui" (a species near to "sisalana") 

 is about to pole, and by cutting off the bud poling is retarded 

 in the interests of the planter. 



* Saponin is said by several writers to be present in the leaves and roots, 

 but recent chemical analysis is reported not to have confirmed this. 



f Forming a " coma." ** i.e. our A. Wightii. 



