URTICACE^. 



237 



Stainiuate flowers ^reeii, jXMluiiculati;, axillary, fr»)\vik'il at the sminnit of the 

 stem aud brauches; pistillate flowers sessile, usually in pairs. 



Geographi — The geographical range of hemp is very wide. It flourishes 

 throughout the edges of the tropics, aud all through the temperate zones, 

 to about the oOth parallel. 



Etifinulogy. — Cannab'is is said to be derived from the Arabic word cannab, 

 made up of can, a reed, aud ab, small ; hence, a little reed. Sutica, the specific 

 name, is from the Latiu sativus, sown or planted. The meaning of the word 

 hemp is obscure. 



Histuri/. — The home of the hemp is supposed to be Chinese Tartary, north- 

 ern India, and southwestern Siberia, whence it is supposed to have been car- 

 ried into Europe by the Scythians about 1,500 years before the Christian era. 

 Herodotus states that the ancient Scyth- 

 ians burnt the seed, aud were intoxicated 

 by breathing the fumes. 



Hemp is an important crop in China, 

 Chinese Tartary, Japan, Persia, Hindustan, 

 Egypt, southern Africa, most of the states 

 of Europe, and especially Russia. It has 

 been introduced into America, and is cul- 

 tivated in Canada and the United States. 

 Hemp of a superior quality is raised in 

 southern Russia and Poland. The hemp 

 of the North produces the best fabrics and 

 cordage. The plant when grown in liot 

 countries possesses qualities wholly un- 

 known to it when raised in colder regions. 

 That grown in the tropics and subtropical 

 regions yields substances that are narcotic 

 and intoxicating. 



Use. — The fiber of the hemp plant is 

 among the most important of all tlie tex- 

 tile products. It is made into cloth, and 

 furnishes material for the coarse clothing 

 of a large part of the ])eople of northern 

 Europe aud Asia. The bagging-cloths, 



and the sails and cordage for vessels all over the world, are made of homp. 

 The Russians obtain an oil from hemp seeds, which they use in their culinary 

 preparations and to mix their paints, and in the manufacture of soft soap. 

 The seed is also fed to caged Itirds, and is said to change the color of their 

 plumage from red to black. 



The leaf, wlien grown in warm climates, is smoked, and produces a narcotic 

 and intoxicating effect upon the smoker, which is said to alleviate pain, 

 increase the appetite, and give rise to mental cheerfulness It also produces 

 violent coughing and spitting of blood. From the whole ])Iant also exudes a 

 resinous substance, which, when smoked, produces intoxication ; when taken 

 internally in small doses, it ])roduces furor and imparts wonderful strength; 

 when taken in larger (piantitics it produces hilarity and stimulates the appe- 

 tite, but the patient finally becomes insensible, and liis limbs will remain in 

 any position they may be ])laced. After a time the person recovers with«jut 

 any ap})arent ill effects to either mind or body. The resinous sul)stance is the 

 celebrated ha.shish of the Arabs. Bhany is a narcotic intoxicating drug, pre- 



Cannabis sativa (Hemp). 



