MOKACEA, 663 
mountains and some other parts of North America. It has been much 
recommended for cultivation in Germany, &c., as a textile plant. 
Parietaria officinalis, Wall Pellitory, is by many regarded as a valuable 
diuretic and lithontriptic. 
Urtica, Nettle—The Nettles are well known from their stinging glands. 
Some of the East Indian species, as U. crenulata, U. stimulans, and more 
especially U. urentissima, produce very violent effects. Flagellation by a 
bunch of Nettles ( Urtica dioica or U. urens) was formerly employed in palsy, 
and other cases.—U. baccifera is used as an aperient in the West Indies ; 
the root of U. pilulifera is regarded as diuretic and astringent ; and an 
infusion of the leaves of U. dioica, commonly known as Nettle Tea, is fre- 
quently used in parts of this country asa purifier of the blood. Some Nettles, 
as U,. tuberosa, have edible tuberous roots; others yield useful fibres, as 
r 
Urtica heterophylla, Neilgherry Nettle, and U. tenacissima. 
Order 2. Morace®, the Mulberry Order.—Character.— 
Trees or shrubs, with a milky juice. Leaves with large stipules. 
Flowers unisexual, in heads, spikes, or catkins. Male flowers 
with a 3—4-partite calyx (fig. 
1037) or achlamydeous. Sta- Fig, 1037, Fic. 1038, 
mens 3—4, perigynous (fig. ; 
1037) and opposite the  seg- 
ments of the calyx; anthers 
usually inflexed. Female flowers 
with 3—5 sepals. Ovary supe- 
rior, 1—2-celled.. Fruit a so- 
rosis (fig. 728) or syconus 
( fig. 406). Seed solitary, pendu- 
lous (fig. 1038) ; embryo hooked Fig. 1037, Male flower of the Black 
(jig. 1088), im ieshy albumen, — faybery Merny mown fe 
and with a superior radicle. apinedeunle anwar cetie sitie. 
Distribution and Numbers.— 
They are natives of both hemispheres, and occur in temperate 
and tropical climates. Illustrative Genera :—Morus, Towrn. ; 
Dorstenia, Plum. There are over 200 species. 
Properties and Uses.—The milky juice of some species pos- 
sesses acrid and poisonous properties, while in others it is bland, 
and may be taken asa beverage. From the milky juice of some 
Caoutchouc or India-rubber is obtained. The inner bark of 
other species supplies fibres. Some possess stimulant, sudorific, 
tonic, or astringent properties. Many yield edible fruits, while 
the seeds generally of the plants of this order are wholesome. 
Broussonetia papyrifera, the Paper Mulberry, is so named from its inner 
bark being used in China, Japan, &c., for the manufacture of a kind of 
paper. The Otaheitans, &c., also make a kind of cloth from it. 
Dorstenia.—The rhizomes and rootlets of several species have been sup- 
posed to be antidotes to the bites of venomous reptiles, and also of many 
poisonous substances; those of D. Contrayerva and DV. brasiliensis were 
formerly employed in Britain for their stimulant, tonic, and diaphoretic 
properties. 
Ficus.—F. Carica yields the well-known fruit named the Fig. Figs are 
nutritive, emollient, demulcent, and laxative; they are official in the 
