350 THE ADVENTURES OF 



making the carmine which gives to some kinds of sweet- 

 meats their bright pink color." 



A little farther on, I found myself facing a maguey — 

 Agave Mexicana — a sort of aloe, from which pulque is ex- 

 tracted. The maguey only blooms once every twenty-five 

 or thirty years, and the stalk, which is to support the clus- 

 ters of flowers, grows, in the space of two months, to a 

 height of about sixteen to twenty feet. The stalk bearg at 

 its summit no less than four or five thousand blossoms, 

 and the plant expends all its strength in producing them, 

 for it dies soon after. 



In the plantations on the plains of Apam, where the 

 maguey is largely cultivated, they prevent its flowering. 

 As soon as the conical bud appears from which the stalk is 

 about to spring, it is cut off, and a cylindrical cavity is hol- 

 lowed out with a large spoon to the depth of from five to 

 eight inches. The sap collects in this hole, and it is taken 

 out two or three times a day with a long bent gourd, which 

 the Indians use as a siphon. It has been calculated that in 

 twenty-four hours a strong plant should supply about three 

 quarts of a sweet liquor called Agua miel, which is without 

 odor, and has an acidulated sweet taste. 



The Agua miel is collected in ox-skins, placed like troughs 

 on four stakes, where the liquor ferments ; in about seven- 

 ty-two Jiours it is ready for delivery to those that use it, 

 among whom must be placed many Europeans. A maguey 

 plant is serviceable in producing sap for two or three 

 months. 



Pulque is an intoxicating beverage, the flavor of which 

 varies according to the degree of fermentation ; it might be 

 compared to good cider or perry, and is said to fatten those 

 who habitually drink it. 



I reached Coyotepec's dwelling just as the sun had set. 

 Sumichrast was finishing his work, and l'Encuerado, coming 



