The latter had many uses for the Mayans. The thorns of the leaves were used as sewing needles and as pens for writing; the fibres from the leaves were used as thread for sewing and weaving cloth; the papery skin of the leaves was dried flat and used as paper, or bandages; the juice under the skin of the leaves was used as a soap; and juice at the root of the Maguey was extracted and fermented for 24 hours to produce a digestive drink called pulque, and to make the intoxicating liquor, Mescal.