MANUAL OF NATURAL HISTORY. 487 



ovary 1 -celled ; ovules solitary, pendulous or 

 amphitropal ; style terminal, bifid ; fruit a 

 sorosis or syconus ; embryo hooked, albu- 

 minous ; radicle superior. Natives of tem- 

 perate and tropical climes in both hemi- 

 spheres. Comprise the fig, banyan, common 

 and white mulberry ; and among their pro- 

 ducts are contrayerva-root, fustic, and ca- 

 outchouc, which latter is abundantly supplied 

 by the Ficus elastica. (Sycoidece, Link.) 



4. Family. — Hemp-worts (Cannabinacese). Herba- 



ceous ; juice watery ; leaves alternate, stipu- 

 late ; flowers inconspicuous ; male flowers in 

 racemes or panicles ; perianth herbaceous, 

 imbricated ; female flowers in spikes or 

 cones ; perianth single, enwrapping the ovary; 

 stamens few, opposite ; anthers 2-celled ; 

 ovary 1 -celled ; ovule solitary, pendulous, 

 campylotropal ; stigmas two, subulate, ses- 

 sile ; fruit indehiscent ; embryo hooked, ex- 

 albuminous ; radicle superior. Occur in 

 northern temperate regions in the eastern 

 hemisphere. Afford hops, hemp, &c. Can- 

 nabis Indica, now much used medicinally, 

 yields various narcotic products, known as 

 haschisch, bhang, gunjah, churrus, &c. 



5. Family. — Horn-worts (Ceratophyllacese). Herbs, 



submersed ; leaves dichotomous, verticillate ; 

 flowers monoecious; perianth 10-16-parted ; 

 stamens 12-20; anthers 2-celled; ovary 1- 

 celled ; ovule pendulous, orthotropal ; style 



