ALOES CACTI. 



61 



try. Nor is the utility of the plant confined to this ; the Aztecs 

 prepared from its leaves the paper on which their hieroglyphics 

 were written, pieces of which, of various thickness, may be found 

 at the present day. The more fibrous parts supply the country with 

 pita, a strong thread or twine, which is made up into ropes and 

 used not only in the interior, but on the western coast as cordage 

 for vessels. It is not so pliable as hemp, and is more liable to be 

 affected by the weather ; but it is extremely tough and durable, and 

 consequently of very general utility. The preceding plate contains 

 an aloe in full produce, with the leaves cut, the central cup dis- 

 played, and the skin, gourd, and scraper used in extracting the 

 sap." 1 



Mexico is filled with varities of Aloes and Cacti. A species 

 known as the Organos — whose tall, erect and fluted columns 

 shoot up to a height of ten, fifteen or twenty feet, is used in many 

 parts of the table land for fences. Planted in close rows, its fine 

 spines and firm limbs afford an impervious wall against intruders, 

 whilst the tops of these evergreen and growing barriers are almost 

 always covered with the most beautiful blossoms. In many dis- 

 tricts of Mexico these cacti form one of the most picturesque as 

 well as useful features in the landscape. 



1 Ward's Mexico in 1827, vol. 1, p. 55. 



