HEMP. 



155 



hemp-plant after it has flowered, and from which the churrus 

 has not been removed, and Bang, Subjee, or Sidhee, the 

 larger leaves and capsules dried without the stalks. 



When the Bushmen, or Bosjesmans, of Southern Africa 

 were in England, they smoked Gunjah in pipes which were 

 formed of the tusk or canine tooth of some animal ; it w^as 

 about three inches long, and perforated quite through, 

 leaving only the enamel ; this rude pipe they stuffed full of 

 the dried hemp, and smoked it as more civilized men do 

 cigars. In many parts of Asia the use of narcotic hemp has 

 long been known . The Saracens called it Hashash and 

 Husheesh. In the wars with the Crusaders men were intox- 

 icated with this drug, and rushed into the camps of the 

 Christians, committing great havoc ; being totally regardless 

 of death, they were termed Hashasheens, whence our word 

 assassin. 



The hemp grows as high as six to twelve feet, slightly 

 branched, with a coarse fohage ; it is closely aUied to the hop 

 and the nettle, both of which are possessed of the tough fibrous 

 qualities of this plant. The plants are monceciouSj that is, they 

 have their stamens and pistils in separate flowers on the 

 same plant ; the flowers are small, yellowish-green, and incon- 

 spicuous \ the seed is produced in great abundance, and is 



