AGAVES OF THE UNITED STATES. 
57 
winter were pollinated ai-tificiallj, most of the others also 
matured their fruit, and showed that the pollen from upper 
flowers must have done its work upon the stigmas of the 
lower ones. 
Why the flowering stems of some Agaves should attain 
so great a height is not easily explained. I am told by resi- 
dents of New Mexico that the red-polled sparrow and other 
birds are seen to visit the inflorescence of A. :iji[)i,Miat:i 
Parryi. This species produces an enormous <iu;intitv of 
sweet nectar. If birds or high-flying insects assist in pol- 
lination, the task of finding the flowers would evidently be 
much facilitated by their commanding position. 
The height doubtless assists in disseminating the seeds 
to a greater distance than would otherwise be possible. As 
the capsules open from above, the swaying of the poles 
must cause the seeds to be caught by the air currents as 
they are dislodged ; being thin and flat they may be carried 
to a considerable distance beyond the circle of progeny 
formed by suckers, before reaching the ground. 
It is stated that certain Agaves are hybridized* in cultiva- 
tion. If this is readily accomplished, it can be inferred 
that similar instances may occur in a state of nature, and 
upon this basis, explanations may be made of some of the 
queer freaks and differences of form so often observed. 
I have been able to secure but slight information in re- 
gard to the enemies of the Agave. They are injured by 
an insect ( Scarabaeusf ) called Maax (pronounced maash) 
by the Mayas. This bores through the center of the plant 
and destroys the softer parts. In cultivation the natives 
hunt this insect daily with pointed sticks and fill up the 
holes with pebbles and soil. Domestic animals, especially 
cattle, hogs and goats, are very fond of these jjlants when 
young, and will even chew the mature leaves for their 
juice, t 
* Gard. Cliroa. April, 18T7, 438. 
t Agric. Beport. 1869, 257. RUey, Insect Life, 1890 and 1891, 432. 
t Agric. Report, 1869. 
