276 



SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 



[Dec. 1, ]865. 



Eig. 1. Neilghehuy NjiTTLE {Uvtlca h.'teroplDjlla). 

 II, Male Flower; b, Female Flower; c and 0, Seeds, magnified; c, Seed, natural size. 



it fully acted up to its appearauee. In Assam and 

 also ill Kumaon arc several other shrubby rettles 

 with woody stems and troublesome stings. The 

 Java stinging-nettle {U. stimulMis) is also anything 

 but a pleasant companion. But above all, the great 

 Devil's-leaf Nettle of Timor {Urtica vrentissima) 

 has the reputation of being the most virulent. The 



effects are said to last for a year, or even to cause 

 death. 



Nearly all the nettles are possessed of a very 

 strong and silky inner bark. The common nettle 

 {U. cUoica) has been used almost from time imme- 

 morial as a fibrous plant, and not only do the inhabi- 

 tants of Siberia make from it the cordage for their 



