CONTRIBUCION AL CONOCIMIENTO DE LA HISTOLOGIA Y CITOLOGIA DEL MAGUEY (AGAVE) I

Resumen

The present paper is the first of a series of histological and cytological studies of the typical plants of mexico. It deals with the general histological structure of the leaf of the "Maguey" Agave, studied in Agave cochlearis Jacobi and Agave lehmani Jacobi. A special cytological study of the condriome and vacuome is made in the cells of the connective-storage system. In the epidemal cells a description is made ofa  particular product, appearing as small droplets which have been identified as "cerids" (waxes) by means of histochemical methods. A discussion as to the function of these substances in the plat establishes them as peculiar defensive means related to the ecological conditions in which the maguey lives.