162 MONOCHLAMYDE.^ 



vegetable. Besides the use to which Hops are put in the manu- 

 facture of beer, the young shoots may also be boiled, when they 

 form a delicious vegetable. 



i. Urtica (Nettle). Stamens and pistils in separate flowers, or, 

 the same or different plants ; barren flower, perianth of 4 leaves 

 stamens 4 ; fertile flower, perianth of 2 leaves, i-seeded. (Name 

 from the Latin, uro, to burn, from its stinging properties.) 



2. Parietaria (Pellitory). Stamens and pistils in the same 

 flower ; perianth 4- cleft ; stamens 4 ; filaments at first curved in- 

 wards, finally spreading with an elastic spring ; fruit i-seeded. 

 (Name from the Latin, paries, a wall, where these plants often 

 grow.) 



3. Humulus (Hop). Stamens and pistils on different plants ; 

 barren flower, perianth of 5 leaves ; stamens 5 ; fertile flower, a 

 catkin composed of large concave scales, each of which has at its 

 base two styles and 1 seed. (Name from the Latin, humus, rich 

 soil, in which the plant flourishes.) 



1. Urtica (Nettle) 



1. U. dioica (Great Nettle). Roots creeping; stems 2-3 feet 

 high ; lower leaves heart-shaped at the base, tapering to a point ; 

 upper leaves narrower ; flowers in long, branched clusters. A 

 common weed, too well known to need further description. 

 Fl. July, August. Perennial. 



2. U. urens (Small Nettle). Leaves elliptical ; flowers in short, 

 nearly simple clusters. Smaller than the last, but closely resem- 

 bling it in habit and properties. Waste places ; abundant. 

 Fl. July to October. Annual. 



3. U. pilalifera (Roman Nettle). Taller than the last, about 

 2 feet high, with ovate, heart-shaped leaves, and globular heads of 

 flowers. Local and not indigenous. Fl. July to October. Annual. 



2. Parietaria (Pellitory -of -the-w all) 



I. P. officinalis (Common Pellitory-of- the- wall). The only 

 British species. A much-branched, bushy, herbaceous plant, with 

 narrow, hairy leaves, reddish, brittle stems, and small, hairy flowers, 

 which grow in clusters in the axils of the leaves. The filaments are 

 curiously jointed and elastic, so that if touched before the expansion 

 of the flower, they suddenly spring from their incurved position 

 and shed their pollen. In rural districts an infusion of this plant 

 is a favourite medicine. Fl. all the summer. Perennial. 



