rd of 130 feet span over the
Chimbo in Quito, of which the main ropes (4 inches in diameter)
were made of this fiber. It is also used for making paper. The
juice, when the watery part is evaporated, forms a good soap (as
detergent as castile), and will mix and form a lather with salt
water as well as with fresh. The sap from the heart leaves is
formed into pulque. This sap is sour, but has sufficient sugar and
mucilage for fermentation. This vinous beverage has a filthy odor,
but those who can overcome the aversion to this fetid smell
indulge largely in the liquor. A very intoxicating brandy is made
from it. Razor strops are made from the leaves; they are also used
for cleaning and scouring pewter.

17. AGAVE RIGIDA.--The sisal hemp, introduced into Florida many years
ago, for the sake of its fiber, but its cultivation has not been
prosecuted to a commercial success. Like many other of the best
vegetable fibers found in leaves, it contains a gummy substance,
which prevents the easy separation of the fiber from the pulp.

18. ALEURITES TRILOBA.--The candleberry tree, much cultivated in
tropical countries for the sake of its nuts. The nuts or kernels,
when dried and stuck on a reed, are used by the Polynesians as a
substitute for candles and as an article of food; they are said to
taste like walnuts. When pressed, they yield largely of pure
palatable oil, as a drying oil for paint, and known as artists'
oil. The cake, after the oil has been expressed, is a favorite
food for cattle. The root of the tree affords a brown dye, which
is used to dye cloths.

19. ALGAROBIA GLANDULOSA.--The mezquite tree, of Texas, occasionally
reaching a height of 25 to 30 feet. It yields a very hard, durable
wood, and affords a large quantity of gum resembling gum arabic,
and answering every purpose of that gum.

20. ALLAMANDA CATHARTICA.--This plant belongs to the family of
_Apocynaceae_, which contains many poisonous species. It is often
cultivated for the beauty of its flowers; the leaves are
considered a valuable cathartic, in moderate doses, especially in
the cure of painter's colic; in large doses they are violently
emetic. It is a native of South America.

21. ALOE SOCOTRINA.--Bitter aloe, a plant of the lily family, which
furnishes the fi