MO RACEME. 575 



Flanders, whence the plant was carried to England, in the reign of Henry 

 VIII. Dr. Royle notices, as a curious fact, that at this time they were peti- 

 tioned against " in regard they would spoyl the taste of drink, and endanger 

 the people," in consequence of which it was ordered, " not to put any hops or 

 brimstone into the ale." 



The Hop is extensively cultivated in Europe, and more especially in Eng- 

 land, and also in this country, for its aments or strobiles, which are very 

 largely employed in the preparation of malt liquors, and more sparingly 

 in medicine. The female flowers, when fully ripe, are picked from the 

 vines, dried in kilns, and packed in bags. Hops consist of thin, somewhat 

 translucent, veined, leaf-like bracts or scales, of a greenish-yellow colour, 

 having, near their base, two small, round, dark seeds. Their odour is strong 

 and peculiar, but somewhat narcotic and fragrant ; their taste is bitter, aro- 

 matic, and a little astringent. These properties of Hops depend on the pre- 

 sence of a peculiar resinous secretion, contained in the glands, which is called 

 Lupulin, by Dr. A. W. Ives, of New York, who first brought it forward as 

 a medicinal agent, though it appears to have been previously noticed by ob- 

 servers in Europe. 



Lupulin can be obtained from the Hop by threshing, rubbing, and sifting 

 the strobiles, of which it constitutes from one-tenth to one-sixth, by weight. 

 It is in rounded or reniform grains, of a cellular texture, golden-yellow co- 

 lour, and somewhat transparent ; the axis round which the cells are arranged 

 is called the hilum. By analysis Lupulin has been found to consist of: Vo- 

 latile oil, Bitter principle or Lupulite, Resin, &c. The scaly bracts contain a 

 small portion of lupulinic matter, and the usual vegetable constituents. 



The principal consumption of hops is in the manufacture of malt liquors, 

 to which they communicate the bitter flavour and tonic properties. They 

 have also been employed in a variety of forms in medicine. 



Medical Uses. — Hops are tonic and slightly narcotic ; they sometimes prove 

 diuretic, and are said to be useful in correcting the deposits of lithic acid. 

 They are given internally to induce sleep, to relieve restlessness, and to alle- 

 viate pain ; but frequently fail in fulfilling these indications. They have, like- 

 wise, been employed externally with the same intentions ; thus, a poultice of 

 hops has occasionally been found useful in allaying restlessness and inducing 

 sleep. In the form of a cataplasm or fomentation, they have proved beneficial 

 to painful swellings and tumours. An ointment has been recommended as 

 an application to cancerous sores. 



When administered internally, all the good effects of hops may be obtained 

 by the use of Lupulin ; which is best given in pills, in doses of six to ten 

 grains, or in tincture in those of half a drachm to a drachm. Lupuline may 

 be likewise substituted for the hops in poultices, ointments, &c, with much 

 advantage. 



Order 94.— MORACEjE.— Lindley. 



Flowers monoecious, inconspicuous, in heads or catkins. Male : calyx wanting-, or 

 3 — 4-parted, imbricated. Stamens 3 — 4, inserted on the base of the calyx, and opposite 

 to its segments ; filaments usually shrivelled on the inner face ; anthers 2-celled, with a 

 longitudinal dehiscence. Female: sepals 3 — 4 — 5, sometimes in two series. Ovary 1- 

 celled, occasionally 2-celled. Ovules solitary, pendulous, or amphitropal, with the fora- 

 men uppermost; style terminal, bifid, with the lobes often unequal. Fruit, small nuts, 

 or utricles, 1-seeded, enclosed in a succulent receptacle, or collected in a fleshy head 



