CULTIVATED VEGETABLES. 



HEMP.— CANNABIS. 



Natural order, Scabridce. A genus of the 

 Diozcia Peniandria class. 



The Latin name of this plant is the same 

 as the Greek KavvacCis, from KclvclGqi, because 

 it prospers best near watery places. 



That this fibrous plant is indigenous to 

 most of the European countries, as well as 

 to Asia Minor, we have the authority of an- 

 cient authors, in opposition to the statements 

 of some of our modern botanists, that it is a 

 native plant of India only. Some of our 

 Encyclopaedias state, that the ancients used 

 hemp only medicinally. Pliny is cited as 

 their authority. In his 19th book, chap- 

 ter 9- however, he informs us that hemp is 

 equally good for making cordage ; that the 

 best for the purpose of making nets, and 

 snares for wild beasts, was grown in Alabanda; 

 and that the second in quality grew near 

 Mylasium, both towns of Caria. 



