AGATE. 83 



Stem slender ; leaves thick and fleshy, strap-shaped, taper- 

 ing to a point, recurved, from two to three feet long, 

 and three to four inches in breadth at the widest part, 

 deep green, with a central stripe of greenish white, the 

 edges furnished with very fine close set teeth. Native 

 of Mexico. 



A. OusselgJieimiana. — A distinct and very handsome 

 plant, with somewhat oblong leaves, which suddenly be- 

 come contracted and taper to a point, where they are 

 armed with a long sharp brown spine, but are quite 

 smooth at the edges; the. apex is curved upwards, and 

 both surfaces are very glaucous. Native of Mexico. 



A, piata. — Leaves very long and narrow, being from 

 two to three feet in length, and seldom exceeding two 

 and a half inches in breadth, pendulous, deep green in 

 the centre, bordered with a broad stripe of white, and 

 armed at the edges with small red spines, the apical one 

 is very long and stout. Native of Mexico. 



A. picta irevifolia. — This differs from the preceding 

 in having shorter leaves, which, as a consequence, are 

 not so pendulous ; the marginal band is broader, and suf- 

 fused with golden yellow. It is a very desirable form. 

 Native of Mexico. 



A. Poselgerii. — This is a very distinct and handsome 

 plant. The leaves are from six to twelve inches in length, 

 light green, with a broad central white stripe extending 

 from base to apex, where it is armed with a stout brown 

 spine, those at the edges being flat and recurved. Native 

 of Mexico. 



A. potatorum. — ^A massive and noble plant, producing 



very thick broad spathulate leaves, which are from two 



to three feet in length, and six inches or more in breadth, 



very dark green in colour, deeply lobed at the edges, 



a2 



