XX 



THORNS 



253 



of macerated liemp are sometimes found in their 

 stomachs. 



iVnother useful, though spiny, member of tlie Agave 

 family imported into East Africa is the Sisal plant, 

 Ayave licjida, a native of Mexico : it is cultivated for 



The Bow-string Hemp. 

 The tips of tlie leaves are so sharp that they penetrate leatlier. 



fil)re. These plants have long broad leaves, furnished in 

 some species with a strong terminal spine : in others, the 

 edges of the leaves are furnished with teeth. 



The Agaves are interesting because they can 1 le propa- 

 gated by suckers from the l)ase of the stem, liy bulbils 



