BOTANICAL, INDEX, 
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Fig. 167. Opuntia Missouriensis. 
ion all along the branches, of a dull greenish yellow hue about an inchin length, 
followed by dry capsules of light-colored seeds. The spines give the plant a bright yel- 
low appearance, and the wood fibre, when cleared of other vegetable matter, is curious 
indeed. 
OPUNTIA MISSOURIENSIS, 
Or some of its variable forms, is found throughout all our barren waste, forming im- 
mense spreading masses, and producing a profusion of yellow or yellow shaded rose 
flowers in May, and bright deep purple ovate fruit in the fall, which is quite edible. 
YUCCA BREVIFOLIA 
Grows into a tree, sometimes twenty feet high, and looks as though it might be, at 
least, a cousin to the Palm. The trunk or stem is a mass of fiber, finely and strangely 
woven ; leaves also fibrous and short, armed with sharp points. It blooms at the top 
and end of limbs in June — a thick, heavy mass of light creamy flowers, from one to 
two inches in diameter. The spike is studded with lateral branches of flowers, the 
whole often weighing ten or twenty pounds. The seeds are thin, fiat and nearly 
round, encased in dry capsules or pods. In approaching a grove of these by moon- 
light, one might easily fancy they were facing an army of giants. The whole of 
this tree is valuable as a paper material. 
YUCCA BACCATA 
Is the next most important, furnishing strongfibers in abundance for the manufacture 
of paper, cordage, ropes, rugs, brushes &e., and is the plant which furnishes for 
commerce the article known as Tampico. Leaves from two to three feet long by two 
inches in breadth, composed of vegetable and fibrous matter, armed with sharp points. 
The blossom stalk arises in June to the height of four to six feet, branching and heavily 
laden with large, plump buds that open out in large, rich, cream colored flowers, 
magnificent to behold, and yielding a strong lily-like perfume. Such a head of 
blossoms ought to command, in any large city, five dollars readily. The seed is 
round, flat and black, similar to last described. The fruit is edible. 
YUCCA ANGUSTIFOLI A 
Is a smaller plant in si/e, leaf and flowers, otherwise somewhat similar. The flow- 
er stalk is a little taller and more branching, color and fragrance much the same. 
The roots of both plants are valuable to the laundry, and are much used in place of 
soap; will make a lather equal, and for some uses preferable, to the best of soap. 
The leaves of both are used for strings to tie up grape vines and other plants. 
AGAVE UTAHENSIS 
Seems allied to the Yucca family, grows close to the ground. Leaves six to eight inch- 
es long, sharp at the point, and spines like sharp teeth along edge of leaves, which 
are thick and strong. Flower stalk gwows to a hight of twelve or more feet, with 
flowers, thickly studding the stem, of a pale color, lacking beauty, followed by dry 
capsules which contain the seeds. The bulb of the root is a great delicacy with the 
natives, who roast and prepare it for food which is sweet and delicious. 
I have extended this article beyond all reason and bounds, and will stop without 
further apology, but in case there is a desire to hear more of the botany and flora of 
Utah, may resume my pen again. 
[Yes sir, we shall be glad to hear from you always. — Ed. Botanical Index.] 
