CHAPTER XI 



STING OF NETTLE, ARISTOLOCHIA 

 GIGAS, AND CALAMUS ROTANG 



Sting of Nettle. 



rr 



-*- 



sting of a nettle is shown in the 

 original photograph amplified to 100 

 diameters. In reality the sting is a plant 

 hair which is tubular, unicellular, sharply 

 conical, and terminating at the top in a small 

 knob, which in this instance has been broken 

 off. At the base the sting, or hair, broadens 

 out, is bulb-like, and fits into a cup which is 

 developed from the tissues of the leaf. The 

 bulb contains the acrid fluid which causes so 

 much pain, and frequently raises blisters on 

 the hand that touches it. As the hand is 

 rubbed against the nettle the knob is broken 



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