426 URTICACE^ 



(Ficus Cdrlca), the Bread- fruit (Artocdrpus incisifolia), the Jack- 

 fruit (A. integrifolia), and the Mulberry (Moms nigra) are the 

 chief edible fruits of the Order. The Paper Mulberries of Japan 

 (Broussonetia papyrifera and allied species), the common Nettles 

 {Urtica), and the closely allied Rhea or Grass-cloth of India, U. 

 (Boehmeria) nivea, and U . Puya, and the Hemp {Cannabis saliva) 

 are the chief fibre-yielding plants in the Order. The Elms 

 (Ulmus) are valuable timber-trees, and the wood of the Fustic 

 (Madura tinctoria) affords a valuable yellow dye. The bitter 

 principle in the glands on the catkins of the Hop {Humulus 



T^'LMUS SURCULOSA (Common small-leaved Elm). 



Lupulus) gives it its value as a preservative in beer. The British 

 species of Nettle are well known for the burning properties of the 

 formic acid contained in the stinging hairs with which they are 

 plentifully armed ; but they are not to be compared to the effects 

 of incautiously handling some of the tropical species. In these a 

 slight sensation of pricking is followed by a burning heat, such as 

 would be caused by rubbing the part with a hot iron ; and soon 

 the pain extends and continues for days, with symptoms like 

 those of lock-jaw, death even being said to have been caused by 

 it. This burning property is dissipated by heat ; and the young 

 shoots of the common Nettle, like those of the Hop, are, when 

 boiled, an excellent substitute for Asparagus. 



