no 
ALOE. 
like those of the wild pine and banana, hold rain- 
water, and thus afford a valuable refreshment to 
travellers in hot climates. The poor in Mexico de- 
rive almost every necessary of life from a species of 
aloe. Besides making excellent hedges for their 
fields, its trunk serves instead of beams for the roofs 
of their houses, and its leaves supply the place 
of tiles. From these they obtain paper, thread, 
needles, clothing, shoes, stockings, and cordage : 
from the juice they make wine, honey, sugar, and 
vinegar. 
