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leaves are cut out, and the sap, which is rich in sugar, gathers in 

 the cavity thus formed. It is stated that a plant will yield two 

 gallons per day for several months. The juice is fermented in 

 rawhide receptacles. At first it has a pleasant taste, but later 

 acquires a putrid odor from the animal matter of the hides. 

 Pulque-brandy, or aguardiente or mescal, is produced by a dis- 

 tillation of the pulque. 



On the corner bench near the south door is a curious desert 

 plant, rare in cultivation. It is Ibervillca Sonorae, a member of 

 the gourd family, Cucurbitaceae, growing in Mexico, and known 

 there as " huariqui." During the dry season these large plant 

 bodies lie around on the surface of the ground, looking dead 

 and uninteresting. As soon as the rains come, however, green 

 stems several feet long make their appearance. These bear 

 flowers and fruit, dying away in a short time, when the plant 



favorable opportunity. 



A group of the lily family will be found in the central portion 

 of the house. This includes several species of the Spanish- 

 bayonets, Yucca, which is strictly American, some large plants of 

 Aloe arboresccns, a native of southern Africa, and a considerable 

 number of plants of the genus Dasylirion, representing several 

 species which are natives of Mexico and the southwestern United 

 States. The most imposing figure in the house, however, is the 

 giant cereus, Cereus giganteus, sometimes called the cactus king, 

 from Arizona and Sonora, known by the Mexicans and Indians of 

 that region as suwarro. See the Journal for August, 1905, for 

 an illustrated account of this plant. The plants here were secured 

 in 1902 by an expedition sent to the desert regions. They repre- 

 sent the largest specimens in cultivation in the east. The flowers 

 are white and appear early in the spring near the apex of the 



cereus, Cereus Pringlei, a large plant of which, together with 

 several smaller ones, stands near the giant cereus. Near by is the 

 collection of large specimens of the genus Echinocactus, or hedge- 

 hog-cactus. The Indians often secure their drinking water from 

 these plants in the following manner : the top of the plant is cut 



