210 HEDGES. 



This plant is so well known and generally diffused as scarcely 

 to need description. Till lately, the flowering was considered to 

 be of rare occurrence ; this has been disproved. "When inflo- 

 rescence takes place, the cylindrical stem shoots forth with 

 amazing rapidity and vigour from amidst a whorl of succulent, 

 spinous-pointed leaves, by which its base is entirely surrounded. 

 The plants which produce these stems are comparatively rare, 

 and this circumstance perhaps enhances the effect produced by 

 their magnificent panicle, which in some instances rises to the 

 height of 15 feet, and is without a parallel in the vegetable 

 kingdom. 



The agave, like the prickly pear, thrives best in dry sandy 

 soil ; but is capable of enduring a great variety of climate, and 

 has blossomed on the coast of Devon. The agave is propagated 

 by means of suckers, which are found under the leaves of the 

 old plants. "When the seed-vessels are ripe, the seeds drop to 

 the ground in a germinating state, and thus also young plants 

 are obtained. It may be added, they are in great demand. If, 

 in the first instance, the plants be placed at regular distances, 

 and care taken to preserve the fibrous roots from moisture by a 

 ditch, an elegant and serviceable enclosure is formed. 



The agave is said to harbour vermin, particularly snakes and 

 Bandicoot rats ; but, by keeping the lower leaves free and clean, 

 this may be obviated. 



The economic uses of the agave are various. The leaves and 

 stem are employed in roofing ; the decayed leaves are also used 

 as fuel when firewood is scarce ; the terminal spines serve instead 

 of pins and nails ; and an excellent cordage (Pita flax) is formed 

 by separating the long fibres of the larger leaves by maceration, 

 and beating them on a stone to get rid of the parenchyma. 

 Specimens of this cordage, made at the Monegar Choultry, 

 Madras, were sent to the Exhibition of 1851, by Dr Hunter. 



Capparis sepiaria (£.), Hedge caper. 



, pr. i. p. 26 ; Grah. Cat. Bot. pi. p. 9 , 

 Calc. p. 75. 



The genus Capparis comprises a large number of fruticose 



W. and A., pr. i. p. 26 ; Grah. Cat. Bot. pi. p. 9 ; Yoigt. Hort. 

 Calc. p. 75. 



