NETTLE OF ECONOMIC PLAXTS. 285 



The fruits are oblong and drupe-like. In A. grandijlora, also 

 known as the Natal Plum, the fruit is larger ; it makes an 

 excellent preserve. 



Natchnee, the Indian name for Elcttsine coracana, an annual 

 decumbent finger-grass, cultivated in some parts of India, Egypt, 

 and Abyssinia as a corn-food. It is largely used in India. In 

 Abyssinia it is called Tocussa. 



Necklace Tree. {See Bead Tree.) 



Nectarine. {See Peach.) 



Neem, or Nim {Melia Azediracli). {See Bead Tree.) 



Negro Pepper. {See Guinea Pepper.) 



Nelumbium. {See Sacred Bean.) 



Neroli, a name in France for a pomatum made of grease 

 impregnated with orange flowers. The name is also applied to 

 an oil obtained from certain kinds of oranges. 



Nettle, Common {Urtica dioica), a perennial herb of the 

 family Urticacese, attaining a height of 2 to 5 feet ; although 

 generally despised on account of its stingmg nature, its stem is, 

 however, known to possess an excellent fibre, which is used in 

 many parts of Europe for making fishing-lines, cloth, etc. Of 

 late years it has become extensively cultivated in Germany, and 

 by dressing, the fibre is made to become as fine as silk. The 

 young shoots of the !N"ettle are eaten as a wholesome vegetable. 

 U. caniiabina of North America yields a good fibre known as 

 Kentucky Hemp. 



Nettle Tree {Celtis austrcdis), a tree of the Elm family 

 (Ulmace?e), 30, 40, or more feet high, native of Southern 

 Europe and Mediterranean coast of North Africa. In some 

 parts of France and Germany it is planted as an ornamental 

 tree ; its wood is hard, and is used for furniture-making. As a 

 genus it differs from Ulmics by having a small black berry, 

 which is delicious and wholesome, and is eaten in some parts. 

 It is believed by some to be the Lotos of the ancients {see 

 Lotos). In Greece it is called Honeyberry. There are several 

 other species, natives of North America, such as the Hackberry 

 and Sugarberry {Celtis crassifolia), a fine species forming large 



