168 



DOMESTIC BOTANY. 



species of Amaryllis having showy flowers are cultivated in 

 hothouses. 



Hcemanthus toxicaria is poisonous, and was used by the 

 Hottentots for poisoning their arrows. H. puniceus, a native 

 of Tropical West Africa, and several other species, have 

 beautiful red flowers, which are closely packed together in a 

 head, the projecting stamens giving them the appearance of 

 brushes. 



American Aloe (Agave Americana). A native of Mexico 

 and Central America. It is well known in the gardens of 

 this country, and is said to have been introduced about 

 the middle of the 16th century. The variety with golden 

 striped foliage is the greatest favourite. This plant has 

 long enjoyed the reputation of i)roducing its flowers but 

 once in a hundred years, and that when it did so it made 

 a report like a gun. The truth is, that a plant may be forty 

 or fifty years of age before it does flower ; and formerly 

 there being but few plants in the country, the report of its 

 being in bloom spread rapidly ; this accounts for the latter 

 part of the rather fanciful tale. The flower stem grows 

 at a rapid rate, often 6 inches per diem. The plant, after 

 flowering, dies, but previous to this it throws up numerous 

 "suckers," by which the plant is propagated. It has be- 

 come naturalized in Spain and other parts of Europe. In 

 Mexico it forms impenetrable fences, and is, moreover, of 

 great importance to the inhabitants, affording their national 

 drink " pulque," which is obtained by cutting out the young 

 flower bud, when the cavity becomes filled with liquor, 

 which is collected daily. It contains a large quantity of 

 sugar, and after fermentation an intoxicating spirit is made 

 from it. The odour of the beverage is disagreeable to Euro- 

 peans, but the repugnance once overcome it is relished. 



There are many different species of this genus, and also of 

 Fourcroya an allied genus. They are common through- 

 out Venezuela, New Grenada, and other parts of tropical 

 America, being known by the name "Magna." 



Their thick fleshy leaves contain a large quantity of 



