CLASS XXI. ORDER IV. 365 



germ surmounted by two capillary, diverging styles. The fruit 

 is a small, ovate, chesnut colored, one celled nut. The leaves 

 and fruit have a strong and somewhat fragrant scent. 



375. SICYOS. 



SiCYOs ANGULATA. L. One seeded Cucumber. 



Leaves heart shaped, five angled, denticulate, acu- 

 minate, rough ; fruit hispid, in heads. 



A climbing plant with spiral divided tendrils, and somewhat 

 the aspect of a cucumber vine. The fruit, which grows in heads, 

 contains a single seed, as large as that of a watermelon. About 

 cultivated grounds. — July. — Annual. 



TETRANDRIA. 



376. URTICA. 



Urtica dioica. L. Large stinging Nettle. 



Leaves opposite, heart shaped ; clusters much 

 branched, in pairs, mostly dioecious. S?n. 



The sensible qualities of this plant are so convincing, that a 

 botanical description would hardly be necessary to identify it 

 did not some others of the genus possess similar properties. Its 

 power of stinging resides in its minute, tubular hairs or prickles, 

 which transmita poisonous fluid. It grows commonly in bunches 

 about the road sides. Stem erect, obtusely quadrangular. Leaves 

 opposite, heart shaped, toothed. Racemes axillary, in pairs, 

 spreading, branched. Flowers small, obscure, green. — July. 

 August. — Perennial. 



The plant varies in the length and base of its leaves. 

 Urtica urens. L. Small Nettle. 



Leaves opposite, elliptical, somewhat five nerved, 

 racemes nearly simple. 



The whole plant is covered like the preceding with stinging 

 bristles. Leaves three or five nerved. Racemes axillary, mostly 

 simple, and generally shorter than the leafstalk. 



An annual weed introduced from Europe. 



31* 



