260 POWDERED VEGETABLE DRUGS 



38. (Fig. 57.) CANNABIS INDICA. Cannabis. U. S. 

 Fl. ex. 20. Tinct. 40 



The pistillate flowering tops of Cannabis saliva L., Urticaceae. 



Dry, somewhat resinous feel. Sticky and resinous to teeth on 

 masticating. 



Dull green to dull greenish brown. 



Very heavy, narcotic. 



Slightly pungent. 



Epidermal tissue predominates. Vertical walls of lower epidermal 

 cells wavy, of upper epidermis and of stems straight or nearly so; 

 abundant, rigid, curved, tapering pointed, single-celled trichomes with 

 basal cystoliths, varying from very short to comparatively long; resin 

 particles are abundant; vascular tissue not very abundant and non- 

 characteristic; multi-cellular glandular trichomes (gland 8-16 celled), 

 also some simple glandular trichomes. Numerous very small aggre- 

 gate crystals. Seed tissue present in more or less abundance (scleren- 

 chyma, endosperm tissue rich in oil and proteid granules) . American 

 and Indian hemps are structurally identical. Effervescence with 

 dilute HC1. 



Ash 10 to 20 per cent. 



Impurities (including seeds) should not exceed 10 per cent. Seed 

 often excessive (should not exceed 5 per cent.). Staminate tops 

 may be added (pollen grains). Exhausted material (deficient in 

 resin, more brown in color) may be used. Excess of stems may 

 be suspected. 



