Note 6 — APPENDIX 1: PEYOTE IN MEXICO

Schultes, Peyotes and Plants Used, 135. The Reko etymology preferred by Schultes (p. 136) so far as botanical evidence goes derives peyotl from Aztec pi- (small) and -yautli or -yolli (herb with narcotic odor or action), making “peyotillo” a double diminutive. Schultes has accepted, at the instance of the present writer, the thesis that Cacalia spp. might well enough fit the “velvety, cocoon-like” etymology, but argues nevertheless that “this etymology does not seem to explain the application of the same name to the great array of plants which possess no soft or silky parts whatsoever.” Schultes is undoubtedly right on this point in terms of descriptive botany; yet may not some items be included in our lists illegitimately? Anhalonium prismaticum Lem., for example, is called hikuli, not peyote, and is only partly its terminological equivalent. And does the “little narcotic” etymology explain all these instances?