6 



grotesque form and the rich flower,, the rugged and barren soil con- 

 trasted with its gigantic produce, and the few animals introduced to 

 give character to the whole, are indeed reality. And the habitation is 

 the same ; the slight cane erection, and thatch of palm leaves, are all 

 that the delicious climate requires for the abode and protection of man. 

 Simple and contented, his wants are consequently few ; a net, two 

 or three mats, as many neatly-plaited wicker or straw baskets, and 

 half a dozen vessels of earthenware, complete his scanty furniture ; 

 and his cage-like abode is incumbered with nothing else, except 

 perhaps a large gourd or two, and his curious cloak of leaves, as ample 

 a covering from the wet as any water-proof surtout with which British 

 ingenuity could supply him. 



The tree represented behind the cottage is the Manitas, or hand- 

 fruit, of which see a model of the fruit and flower in another part of 

 the room, (No. 51) ; that at the corner of the hut is the Yucca ; opposite 

 this the Pawpaw, with its fine fruits— climbing on its stem is the 

 Mexican Porcupine; near this is the great Torch-thistle, with its fruits 

 — this, in Mexico, grows to the height of thirty feet, and perfectly 

 straight, forming, with its strong spires, fences of the most impene- 

 trable kind ; to the left corner is the great aloe ( Agava Americana ) 

 with its beautiful flower stems—this is a plant of the greatest conse- 

 quence to the Mexicans, as from it is produced many of the comforts 

 and luxuries of life, among others their principal beverage, the liquor 

 called pulque, in universal use by all ranks of people ; the duties paid 

 on which produce a considerable revenue to the State. When the 

 plant is preparing to put forth its tall fruit-stem, the Indian carefully 

 hollows out the centre, so as to form a large bowl, and cutting off the 

 leaves, the whole sap flows into the hollow, which is emptied two or 

 three times a day for many weeks, and the liquor, with only a slight 

 fermentation, forms a most palatable and nutritious drink, the sub- 

 stitute for wine among all classes of society. The large model of the 

 plant (near the rail), trimmed for the operation, will better explain it 

 than can be done by words. The aloe has been used for this purpose 

 from the most remote antiquity : but this is only one of its valuable 

 properties. An old account, published in " Purckass Pilgri?nage" a 

 work now very rare, enumerates its valuable qualities so well that the 

 account may, probably, be acceptable to the visitor who wishes in- 

 formation on New Spain; it is, therefore, copied without alteration:- — 

 " Maguey is a tree of wonders, whereof the Notaries, or Chapetans 

 (as the Indians call them) are wont to work miracle, in that it yieldeth 

 water, wine, oyle, vinegar, honie, serrop, thred, needles, and a thousand 

 other things. It is a tree which the Indians esteeme much in New Spaine, 



