USES OF AGAVE IN MEXICO. 43 
agave, and especially of 4. americana, the species now. most 
common in the South of Europe, is the sap, which exudes upon 
the cutting out of the inner leaves, just before the flower scape 
is ready to burst forth ; of this a very full account is given by 
the illustrious Humboldt, in his ‘Political History of New Spain’ 
(book iv, c. 9). 
The fibres of these Agave leaves are, in Mexico, converted into 
twine, cord, or rope; the last used in mines, and on the 
western coast, towards Guayaquill, for the rigging of ships. 
Humboldt describes a bridge over the River Chambo, in 
Quito, 131 feet in.span, of which the main ropes, four inches 
in diameter, were made of the fibres of the agave; and upon 
these ropes the roadway was placed. In the West Indies, the 
negroes are described as making ropes, fishing-nets, and ham- 
mocks of agave fibres. The fibre is thus prepared : the longest 
and most perfect leaves being cut off, are laid upon a board 
and scraped with a square iron bar, which is held in both hands, 
until all the juice and pulp are pressed out, the fibres only re- 
maining. Stedman says, the fibre is like white silk, and hence 
it obtains the name of silk-grass ; though this name seems to 
be also applied to the fine fibres of Agave vivipara, and of 
A, yuccefolia. But others of these white endogenous fibres are 
better entitled to the name, as they are softer and more flexible. 
Stedman says, ropes made of this material are stronger than 
any in use in England ; but that they are liable to be sooner 
damaged by immersion in water. In Portugal the fibre is called 
filo de pita, and applied to various purposes. In Spain, also, 
the fibre is called Pita, and used for making string and rope, 
the plant being abundant in the southern provinces. In Sicily, 
the fibre is said, by Dr. Balfour, to be called Zambarone, where 
cordage and mats are made of it. Pita fibre is extensively used 
in South America for even considerably sized rope. 
Pita fibre and rope have been stated to be prepared from 
the Agave so common in the south of Spain, though not to 
the extent at which the manufactory might easily be carried 
on. M. Ramon de la Sagra recommends the introduction 
of other kinds from Guatimala and Columbia, which are 
known there by the names of “Cabulla” and “ Cocaiza.” 
Species of Fourcroya also yield excellent fibre. Ff. gigantea 
is common at St. Helena, and has been introduced into Madras. 
