Aloe. 
99 
upon paper made from the fibres of the pile. In the time of 
the unfortunate Montezuma, thousands of persons appear to 
have been employed in the production of “picture-writings,” 
as Doctor Robertson justly styles these hieroglyphics. The 
Mexicans still carefully cultivate the pit4, on account of an 
intoxicating liquor called pulque, which is prepared from the 
juice of its flowers. The natives are accustomed to watch so 
earnestly for the blossoms that, it is asserted, they can tell, by 
invariable signs, the very hour at which they will burst into 
expansion. Mr. Ward says, “They ascribe to pulque as many 
good qualities as whisky is said to possess in Scotland.” 
The Abbe la Pluche gives some interesting particulars of 
the Chinese aloe-tree. He informs us that the heart of the 
stem, which diffuses a powerful fragrance, is called calambac in 
the Indies, and is deemed more precious than gold : it is used 
for perfuming the apartments and garments of the wealthy, 
and is also used as a setting for the most costly jewels. “ When 
the Indians purpose to honour their revered deity, the devil, 
with some peculiar testimonies of devotion, they perforate the 
ears with nails manufactured from this plant.” The immense 
size of the aloe and its slowness of growth have often afforded 
our poets happy allusions. Campbell styles it “ the ever¬ 
lasting aloe.” 
7—2 
