104 
ALOE. 
wise set some of the most precious jewels of the In- 
dies. These are not the only advantages of our 
aloe : the leaves of the tree serve instead of slates, 
for covering houses ; they are also formed into the 
shape of dishes and plates, and, when they have 
been well dried, may be used at table. When they 
are stripped of their nerves and fibres betimes, these 
are manufactured into a thread, used in the same 
manner as hemp. The points which rise on the 
branches serve for nails, darts, and awls, with which 
last the Indians pierce their ears, when they de- 
sign to honour the devil by some extraordinary au- 
sterities. If any cavity be made in the tree by 
cutting out the buds, a sweet and vinous liquor 
flows from the wound in a prodigious abundance ; 
it proves a very pleasant liquor, and after some time 
changes to an excellent vinegar. The wood of the 
branches is good to eat, and has the flavour of 
candied citron. The very roots are likewise useful, 
and ropes are frequently made of them. In a word, 
a whole family may be supplied with food, a habi- 
tation, and raiment, by an aloe 
The American aloe must not be confounded with 
the common medicinal aloe, which Linnaeus has 
placed in another genus ; but which, from bearing 
the same name, and resembling it in external form, 
we shall take the liberty to mention in this place. 
The genus aloe affords several species, almost all 
* The tree which the abbe has thus described is not the Ame- 
rican aloe, but the Exccecaria agallocha Linn, commonly called 
aloes-wood. 
