GENERAL REPORT. 51 



amorphous powder." The powder Dr. Loew considers quite a distinct body, 

 which lie names ephedrin, and to this he attributes (and probably correctly) 

 its remedial properties. So concurrent is the testimony in favor of this 

 plant that it is well worthy of a fair trial in hospital practice. 



Populus tremuloides, Michx. American Aspen. — Dr. Loew reports the 

 bark of this tree to be used by the Indians in intermittent fever. It has 

 long been more or less of a domestic remedy, and, indeed, of a certain class 

 of practitioners, for this disease. It is not a little remarkable, however, that 

 it should also be used by the Indians, and we can only account for the fact 

 that it does possess some remedial power in this direction, which a "hit or 

 miss" empiricism has led them to discover. Dr. Loew's analysis of the 

 bark yields salicin and populin. The former was long ago in common use 

 in intermittents. It is therefore probably slightly anti-periodic as well as 

 tonic in its action. 



Agave Palmeri and A. Parryi. "3£escal." — The admirable papers of 

 Dr. Engelmann on this and on Yucca leave little for any one else to add. In 

 hopes, however, of somewhat enlarging the circulation of what he and Dr. 

 Loew have already brought out, I incorporate the leading facts here: 



"The subterranean trunk of most (or all?) the Agaves contains, like 

 that of Yuccas and many other plants of these families, a great deal of 

 mucilage, which, mixed with water, has detergent properties to a consider- 

 able degree; these 'roots' and the whole plants thus used are known to the 

 Mexicans by the name of 'Amole'." — Engelmann, I. c. 



The leaves of all or nearly all the species abound in a coarse fibre, 

 which has been utilized by the native population in making a cheap cordage. 

 Mescal whisky is prepared by distillation from the juice which has been 

 collected in the cavity formed by removal of the just starting flower-stem 

 and the inner leaves. The quantity yielded is almost fabulous. This 

 whisky contains a large percentage of alcohol, and it is said that it is im- 

 possible to adulterate it so that the adulteration cannot at once be detected 

 in the taste. Hence it is hardly surprising that those who are "advised to 

 take stimulants" take so kindty to "Mescal". Fresh from the still, it is even 

 hotter than corn whisky equally new. 



The unopened interior leaves forming a sort of head are taken by the 



