202 THE ASSOCIATIOISJS OF FLOWERS 
in some of the southern countries of Europe^ in which the 
agave has been naturalised, it is a favourite ornament, and 
is placed in vases in the garden and on the public prome- 
nade. At Milan, where the winter does not well agree 
with it, it is considered so desirable an ornament that a 
representation of the plant, cut in copper, and ingeniously 
painted, is often made to supply its place, and quite de- 
ceives the beholder who is unaware of the practice. 
The juice of the agave is much used in washing, instead 
of soapj the fibres of its leaves are manufactured into 
cordage; and its stalk supplies tinder for the domestic use. 
In no other country, however, is the agave so generally 
serviceable as in those parts of America which are near 
the tropics. The rope bridges of Mexico, so often named 
as dangerous to the traveller unaccustomed to cross them, 
are formed entirely of cords made of the fibrous parts of 
its root. These bridges, swung over some foaming tor- 
rent, have pieces of the bamboo stem placed at small 
intervals across the ropes, disclosing, through their inter- 
stices, the dashing of the waters; and this rude structure, 
oscillating either with the wind or the unsteady footstep 
of the passenger, might appal the heart of the strongest 
and bravest stranger, though the Indian passes lightly and 
fearlessly over it. 
The leaves of the agave are baked, and form an excel- 
lent dish; its trunks serve as beams for the roofs of the 
Indian dwellings; and its leaves are used as tiles; while 
from its succulent substance sugar and medicine are pro- 
cured. The Indians call the agave the pite ; and “ this 
plant,” says Baron Humboldt, “may be used as a sub- 
stitute for the hemp of Asia, the paper-reed of Egypt, and 
the vine of Europe.” How few, as they see the prickly 
aloe of the garden flower-pot, think of its value to the 
Indian ! 
In former times the agave was extensively cultivated in 
Mexico for the manufacture of paper as thousands were, 
apparently, employed, in the time of Montezuma, in paint- 
ing hieroglyphics. The agave, besides that the mode of 
converting it into paper was very easy, had this advantage 
over the papyrus, from which the paper of Egypt was 
made, that it flourishes under greater variety of soil and 
climate; the Egyptian reed requiring a temperate clime 
and a moist situation. 
