122 DICOTYLEDONS 



is largely grown both in Asia and in Southern Europe for its 

 leaves and edible fruit. 



Another representative of the Nettle family is'' the Hemp 

 Plant {Cannabis sativa; Kan.Bsingi] J/a^. Kanciivu; Ta;>i. Pahgi : 

 Tel. Ganjayi; Hin. Ganja). The fibre of the stem of Hemp 

 has been used, for ages, in the manufacture of rope and cordage, 

 canvas and sackcloth. The plant is a native of Central x^sia, 

 and has digitate leaves and dioecious flowers, the staminate flow- 

 ers being on one plant and the pistillate on another. From the 

 green parts of the plant a disagreeable smell proceeds, which can 

 stupefy a man. On this depends also the use of the narcotic or 

 intoxicant bhaugi and ganja, (in xirabic hashish), consisting of the 

 top leaves and tender parts of the hemp plant; they are dried and 

 either smoked in pipes, or chewed like tobacco, or made into a 

 confection and eaten, or drunk in a dissolved form. This in- 

 toxicant renders men excitable and quarrelsome and disposed 

 to acts of violence. It is from this latter temperament that the 

 use and meaning of our word assassin (Arab. JiascJidschm = 

 hashish-eaters) have most probably arisen. 



27. The Spurge Family 



(Euphorbiacese). 



Trees, shrubs, or herbs, usually containing a milky juice. Leaves 

 alternate, usually stipulate. Flowers, as a rule, inconspicuous, uni- 

 sexual (monoecious or dioecious). Floral envelope often wanting or 

 simple, sometimes double. Ovary superior, usually three-celled, form- 

 ed of three carpels. Fruit capsular; the carpels usually separating 

 from a persistent axis, or drupaceous. Seeds endospermous. 



The Castor-Oil Plant {Ricinns communis). 



(Kan. Aiuila, Haialu. Mul. Cittainanakku. Tani. Aiiiaiiakku. Tel. Ainudala. 



// in . E ra ii < 1 i k i"') li a d .) 



1. Use. — A large aniiual iierl), often cultivated for the oil 

 in its seeds, which is highly valued in medicine, and otherwise 

 useful for lubricating machinery, dressing tanned hides, for 

 lighting, for soap and cnndle-making. 



