I.] URTICACE^;. 209 



The celebrated Upas (Antiaris toxicaria), of which 

 absurd stories were believed a century ago, is a native of 

 Java. The juice is poisonous, and was formerly used by 



FIG. 151. Section of common Fig (Ficus Carica), showing the crowded 

 minute flowers lining the hollow receptacle. To the left, a detached 

 staminate flower ; to the right, a pistillate flower. 



the natives to poison their arrows, but the statements of 

 the effect produced upon creatures approaching the tree 

 are fabulous. 



57. Natural Order Ulmacex. The Elm Order. 



DISTRIBUTION. A very small Order, nearly confined 

 to the north temperate zone, though common to both 

 hemispheres. One British genus, species 2. 



Trees. Flowers perfect. Ovary 2-celled. Fruit winged. 



Type Wych Elm (Ulimts montand). 



A large deciduous tree, with alternate simple roughish 

 leaves, precocious hermaphrodite flowers, and winged 

 fruits. 



O.B. p 



