C 61 ] 



the Sub-Siwalik tract as far as the Ravi. In the arid strip 

 between Gwalior and Delhi it seems to be absent, but another 

 Agave has found its way into this vacant corner. 



From a suite of specimens which the Reporter on Economic 

 Products to the Government of India has placed at our 

 disposal, we think that this other Agave is identical with 

 Mr. Gamble's A. mexicana. 



Dalzell and Gibson (Bombay Flora, Bombay, 1861) mention 

 three Agave ae (under Bromeliaceae) as follows : 



/. Agave Cantula. Aloe americana, Roxb. Fl. Ind. 2. 

 167. A stately Aloe-looking plant, tl<6 central scape 

 rising to the height of 15 or 20 feet, flower* in the 

 rains. The broad ensiform leaves give material for 

 rope or twine. 



2. A. vivipara, is the narrower leaved plant, leaves flexuous 

 and drooping, which may be seen growing in tcaste 

 places ; and is planted in situations where its roots 

 may retain the earth when washed down by the rains. 

 In the Madras Presidency it is employed in this way 

 to keep up the earth near to the parapets of bridges, a 

 practice which might wit/), advantage be followed on our 

 side of India. 



8. Furcrcea fcetida, Vent, in listen Ann. 19 5. A plant 

 similar in habit to Agave Cat/tula, but having thinner 

 and more flaccid leaves, and green flowers. In 

 gardens, Bombay, rare." 

 * * # * * 



There can be little doubt that the "vivipara" of the 

 Bombay Flora is the form with weak leaves that is common in 

 hedges at Saharanpur. 



Graham made it a variety of A. Cantula Roxb. Dalzell and Gibson 

 repeat Giaham for part of their remarks, but the " broad ensif orm leaves " which 

 they assign to A. Cantula are puzzling. Moreover, they seem to ignore Wight 

 altogether. Possibly their Cantula is Wight's vivipara. 



It is curious that Mr. Watson speaks of A. Rumphii, Hasskarl, as "a very 

 fine Agave, the leaves about 5 feet long and very numerous" and as like a 

 gigantic A. rigida" We hardly think that Wight's vivipara would be des- 

 cribed "as a stately Aloe" or as "a very fine Agave"; unfortunately we have 

 no specimens or picture of the A. Bumphii or A* Cantula from La Mortola, 

 but without attempting to decide whether Dalzell and Gibson's A. Cantula 

 was the same as Graham's, we are convinced that what we regard as the true 

 Cantula .e. the A. Cantala of the Hort. Bengal, is a common hedge-plant 

 in the Bombay neighbourhood. 



