Zb TIlANgACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



This bofiutifiil species of tlic Aj^uvo family is cxcccMling-ly ahiiiidiuit in all 

 Iho clovalc'd ami nioniitain land of South Caliloiiiia. Its raiig'c is as cxtcn- 

 sivo as from Ccdfos Ihlaiid, in lalitiido 28 degici'S, to the nuttlieni line of 

 Monterey county. It is als(» met with in some parts of the southeru di- 

 vision of the Sierra Xevadas. It is also well known in North ^lexico. It 

 {generally prefers the coast line at from 1,000 to 3,000 feet elevation, and 

 prows in the most arid and rocky localities. It is particularly abundant 

 in the mountains around Santa IJarbara, Santa Yne/., and San Buenaven- 

 tura, where it is known amoiij;* the Indians and native Californians as 

 KaJiolr, or the Little Mapuey. It is a species allied to the American Aloo 

 or century plant of Mexico. The latter is a preat curiosity in Kuropc and 

 the United States, and is the article fr-'Ui wiiich is made the pulque of the 

 Mexicans, and also rope, paper, and a thousand other useful thing's. 



"The California Maj^uey is mentioned by all the old Spanish expeditions 

 before 1545, even from the times of Cortez. as extensively used by the 

 Indians of the Californias, who roasted the stem until it turned as sweet 

 as the supar-cane In this state it was invariably brought as presents to 

 the Spanish sailors as one of the most desirable of gifts. 



"The habit of the plant and its outlines are similar to the century plant, 

 except that it is in every respect more gracc^ful and beautiful. The size of 

 the leaves is not a seventh part of that of the Mexican Maguey, nor arc 

 they serrated on the edg'es. Tiiey are not thicker than the rind of an 

 orange, whereas its riiagnifieent Mexican re lativc has leaves a yard or two 

 long, and an inch thick at the base. Tiic stem of the ('alifornia i)lant is 

 also gciK-rally much smaller, th(Migh it is often found growing fifteen feet 

 in height in favorable localities, and three inches in diameter, which is nearly 

 that of the other species named. The stem grows straight up, and is bright 

 green in color; and when in bloom, from April to August, according to 

 latitude and elevatit»n in our southern countries, the flowers arc disposed 

 in alternat<' panicles of little bells. 



"When in full blow the flowers are as while as the purest snow, form- 

 ing one of the most nnitjue and magniticent lloral displays v.'hen a muuber 

 of them are neighbors it is possibhr to conceive. Imagine the sides of 

 Telegraph Ilill all covered with green telegraph poles, adorned from top 

 to bottom with snow white bell (lowers, each llower as large as a pigeon's 

 t'gffi '""1 emitting a faint violet order, and some idea may be formed of 

 their a|)i)earancc and perfume on their native mountain sides at jtarticular 

 seasons. 



"The leaves of the Maguey are bayonet slia|)e, of a light green, with n. 

 point sharp and hard as a needle, and the plant, instea<l of occupying two 

 yards diameter, like the Mexican Maguey, would t)nly fill a bushel basket 

 leaving out the stalk or pillar, which is of extreme .symmetry and beauty. 

 The llowers commence to arrange; themselves alternately two or lhre<! 

 feet from the base, and hang their litlh- white banner cupp to the bree/.e, 

 one or two hundred to each plant from small arm stalks. Tlies(!eds, which 

 are very numerous, are Hat and black, and the size of those of a parsnip, 

 and their receptacle is of the dimensions and figure of a green gage. 



"The native Calif(»rnians and Indians roast the green stems and roots 

 in an earthen oven, and when properly cooked they are very sweet and 



