210 DICTIONARY OF POPULAR NAMES HEMLOCK 



nauseous smell when bruised. The plant is poisonous in the 

 highest degree, the most active part being the fruit. In medi- 

 cine it is called Coniu^n, and is beneficial in some diseases, when 

 properly administered. 



Hemlock Spruce. {See Fir Trees.) 



Hemlock, Water. {See Cowbane.) 



Hemp (Cannabis sativa), an annual plant of the Nettle 

 family (Urticacese), found wild in Northern India and the 

 western parts of Asia; but generally cultivated in temper- 

 ate and warm regions. It attains an average height of from 8 

 to 10 feet, but sometimes exceeds the latter. Its fibre is the 

 Hemp of commerce, imported to this country from many parts, 

 the total quantity in 1880 being 1,320,731 cwts. (£1,874,231), 

 the greatest supply being from Eussia, and the finest from Italy. 

 It is the principal material of which ropes, ships' cables, and 

 door mats are made, and when woven is known as canvas, and 

 is made into ships' pails, sacks, etc. In India the dried plant 

 is known by the names of Gunjah and Bhang. Gunjah is 

 smoked like tobacco ; Bhang is macerated in water and made 

 into a drink : both are stimulating and intoxicating. A resin is 

 collected from the plant, called Churras, in which the properties 

 of Gunjah and Bhang are concentrated. It is collected by 

 coolies, who run violently amongst the plants, the resin sticking 

 to their bodies, or to skins with which they are purposely 

 clothed. The resin, when used in small quantities, produces 

 pleasant sensations; but, if taken in excess, leads to insanity. 

 The seeds are used for feeding cashed birds. 



Hemp, African, or Bowstring (Sanseviera guineensis), a plant 

 of the Lily family (Liliaceee), native of tropical Africa, having 

 strap-shaped leaves 2 to 4 feet long, and 2 to 3 inches wide. S. 

 Roxhurghiana, a native of India, has flat leaves similar to the 

 last ; but in S. angolensis, native of Western tropical Africa, the 

 leaves are cylindrical, and about 1 inch in diameter. The leaves 

 of these plants contain much fibre, which is used for making 

 ropes, and it is stated that the latter produces the best kind of 

 fibre for deep-sea soundings and dredorinc? lines. 



