III.] URTICACEAi. 275 



The species often yield a milky juice containing caout- 

 chouc, especially Fiais elasfica, from which Indian 

 caoutchouc (India-rubber) is obtained. It is a fine indi- 

 genous tree, with glossy coriaceous leaves. The viscid 

 juice of the Banyan is used to make birdlime. 



A near ally of the Fig is the Mulberry {Morus)^ also with 

 a collective, or multiple, fruit ; but with 

 the individual flowers arranged on the out- 

 side of a common receptacle, forming a short 

 thick spike. The succulence of the fmit is 

 due to the pulpy thickening of the leaves of 

 the perianth. The tree is largely grown, 

 both in Asia and Southern Europe, on 

 account of its leaves, which are the food fig. 168. Coiiec- 

 of the silkworm. The Paper Mulberry Muibeiy.* 

 {Broussonetia) of Japan and Polynesia, the 

 fibrous bark of which is beaten out and worked up in 

 " Tapa-cloth," belongs to this group. 



To the Jack-fruit Sub-type belong the Bread-fruit 

 {Artocarpus incisa) of Polynesia and the dangerous Upas 

 poison {Antiaris toxicaria) of Java. In Southern India 

 the natives make "natural sacks" of the baik of An- 

 tiaris saccidora, which they separate from the trunk by 

 beating it. 



To the Hemp Sub-type belongs the Hop {Hwnulns)^ 

 anomalous in the Family on account of its twining stem. 

 The bracts of the female inflorescence enlarge after 

 flowering, forming a loose cone. They are covered with 

 microscopic glands containing a resin {lupiclbi)^ analogous 

 to that secreted by Hemp {C/iumis) in India, and pos- 

 sessing similar properties. Hence its use in Europe in 

 malt liquors, to which it imparts flavour and a preserving 

 quality. 



T Z 



