91 



hinia tomentosa in certain dysenteric affections. Ibid. 2. 48. A decoction of 

 the bitter root of Galega purpurea (Tephrosia) is prescribed by the Indian 

 doctors in cases of dyspepsia, lientery, and tympanitis. Ibid. 2. 49. The 

 powdered leaf of Indigofera Anil is used in hepatitis. Ibid. 1. 179. The 

 volatile oil of the Coumarouma odorata, or Tonka Bean, has been ascertained 

 to be a peculiar principle called Coumarin. It was mistaken by M. Vogel for 

 Benzoic acid. Turner, 660. It may be found in a crystallized state between 

 the skin and the kernel, and exists abundantly in the flowers of Melilotus offici- 

 nalis. Ed. P. J. 3. 407. It has been found that a peculiar acid, called Carba- 

 zotic, is formed by the action of nitric acid upon Indigo. Turner, 641. Sul- 

 phur exists in combination with different bases in peas and beans. Ed. P. J. 

 14. 172. The leaves of the Phaseolus trilobus (called Sem, or Simbi) are 

 considered by Indian practitioners cooling, sedative, antibilious, and tonic, and 

 useful as an application to weak eyes. Trans. M. and P. Soc. Calc. 2. 406. 



LXXVIII. URTICEiE. The Nettle Tribe. 



Ubtice-e, Jus. Gen. 400. (1789) ; Lindley's Synopsis, 218. (1829).— Cjenosanthe.b and Cam- 

 nabinje, Blume Bijdr. (1825.) both sections of Urticese. 



Diagnosis. Apetalous dicotyledons, with definite erect ovula, an inferior 

 calyx, distinct stipule, and an embryo with the radicle remote from the hilum. 

 Anomalies. 



Essential Character. — Flowers monoecious or dioecious, scattered or clustered. Calyx 

 membranous, lobed, persistent. Stamens definite, distinct, inserted into the base of the calyx, 

 and opposite its lobes ; anthers curved inwards in aestivation, curving backwards with elasticity 

 when bursting - . Ovarium superior, simple; ovule solitary, erect; stigma simple. Fruit a 

 simple indehiscent nut, surrounded either by the membranous or fleshy calyx. Embryo 

 straight, curved, or spiral, with or without albumen ; radicle superior, and therefore remote 

 from the hilum ; cotyledons lying face to face. — Trees, or shrubs, or herbs. Leaves alternate 

 with stipuke, hispid or scabrous, often covered with pungent hairs. 



Affinities. The position of the ovulum, the want of milk, the flowers 

 being arranged in loose racemes or panicles, not in fleshy heads, and their ha- 

 bit, distinguish Urticea from Artocarpere. From Polygoneae they are known 

 by their want of stipula?, from Chenopodeae and Scleranthese by their stinging 

 or scabrous surface, the position of the radicle, and their elastic stamens ; and 

 from Euphorbiacere by the simplicity of their ovarium ; from Betalinese by the 

 presence of a calyx, and from Cupuliferse by their superior simple ovarium. 

 They agree with the two latter orders remarkably in stipulation. 



Geography. Widely dispersed over every part of the world; appearing in the 

 most northern regions, and in the hottest climate of the tropics ; growing now 

 upon dry walls, where there is scarcely nutriment for a moss or a lichen, and 

 inhabiting thedampest recesses of the forest. 



Properties. The tenacity of the fibres of many species is such that cord- 

 age has been successfully manufactured from them. The leaves of Hemp 

 are powerfully narcotic. The Turks know its stupifying qualities under the 

 name of Malach. Linnaeus speaks of its vis narcotica, phantastica, dementens, 

 anodyna, and repellens. Even the Hottentots use it to get drunk with, and call 

 it Dacha. The Arabians name it Hashish. Ainslie, 2. 189. A most power- 

 fully narcotic gum-rcsin, called in Nipal Cheris or Cherris,is supposed to be ob- 

 tained from a variety of Cannabis sativa. Ibid. 2. 73. The effects of the 

 venomous sting of the common nettles, Urtica dioica, urens, and pilulifera of 



