NETTLE TRIBE 36 1 



2. C. autumnahs (Autumnal Water Star-wort). Carpels winged 

 at the back. Resembling the last, and growing in similar situa- 

 tions, but rare. In this species the whole plant is submerged ; all 

 the leaves are narrow and abrupt, and of a deeper green. Fl. June 

 to October. Annual. 



Four other British forms of Callitriche are described by botanists 

 which vary in a slight degree from the preceding ; but they are no\ 

 of common occurrence, and are on other accounts scarcely deserving 

 of a separate notice in a volume of the present scope. 



Natural Order LXXV 

 URTICACE^E. Nettle Tribe 



Stamens and pistils generally in separate flowers, and often on 

 different plants ; perianth divided, not falling off, sometimes want- 

 ing ; stamens equal in number to the lobes of the perianth, and 

 opposite to them ; anthers curved inwards in the bud, and often 

 bursting with elasticity ; ovary 1, simple ; fruit, a hard and dry 

 i-seeded capsule. A difficult Order, the limits of which are vari- 

 ously assigned by different botanists. In its widest extent it 

 contains some 1500 species, among which are a number of valuable 

 fruits, as the famous Bread-fruit and Jack-fruit (Artocarpus incisi- 

 folia and A. integrifolia), the Fig, Mulberry, and Sycamore of the 

 Scriptures. The Upas-tree of Java and Palo-de-vaca, or Cow-tree 

 of Demerara, are arranged in the same Order, with many others. 

 In its more limited extent the Nettle Tribe contains 23 families, 

 comprising, almost entirely, rough-leaved plants, which, though 

 they occasionally acquire the stature of trees, have, nevertheless, 

 little more than an herbaceous texture, their wood being remark- 

 able for its lightness and sponginess. They are found in most parts 

 of the world, occurring as weeds in the temperate and colder 

 regions, and attaining a larger size in hot climates. The British 

 species of Nettle (Urtica) are well known for the burning properties 

 of the juice contained in the stings (formic acid), with which their 

 foliage is plentifully armed. But, painful as are the consequences of 

 ""ouching one of our common nettles, they are not to be compared 

 with the effects of incautiously handling some of the East Indian 

 species. A slight sensation of pricking is followed by a burning 

 heat, such as would be caused by rubbing the part with a hot 

 iron ; soon the pain extends, and continues for many hours, or 

 even days, being attended by symptoms such as accompany lock- 

 jaw or influenza. A Java species produces effects which last for 

 a whole year, and are even said to cause death. In some species 

 the fibre is so strong that cordage is manufactured from it. The 

 burning property of the juice is dissipated by heat, the young 

 shoots of the common nettle being often boiled and eaten as a 



