THE HEMP FAMILY. 



231 



plant, native of tropical America, with rough heart-shaped 

 leaves. The roots are imported to this country for medical 

 purposes. 



The Hemp Family. 



(CANNABINACEiE,) • 



Erect or twining herbs, with angular rough stems and 

 alternate-lobed leaves. Flowers in catkin-panicles, incon- 

 spicuous, unisexual or bisexual. 



This family is represented by only two species, the Hemp 

 and Hop. 



Hemp {Cannabis sativa). An annual plant found wild in 

 northern India and the western parts of Asia, but now gene- 

 rally cultivated in temperate and warm regions. It attains 

 an average height of from 8 to 10 feet, but sometimes 

 exceeds the latter. Its fibre is the hemp of commerce, im- 

 ported to this country from many parts, the greatest supply 

 being from Eussia., and the finest from Italy. 



In India the dried plant is known by the names of Gunjah 

 and Bhang. Gunjah is smoked like tobacco, Bhang is mace- 

 rated in water and made into a drink ; both are stimulating 

 and intoxicating. 



A resin is collected from the plant, called Churras, in which 

 the properties of Gunjah and Bhang are concentrated. It is col- 

 lected by coolies, who run violently amongst the plants, the 

 resin sticking to their bodies, or to skins with which they are 

 purposely clothed. This resin when used in small quantities 

 produces pleasant sensations, but if taken in excess leads to 

 insanity. The seeds are used for feeding caged birds. 



Hop {Humulus Lupulus). A well known perennial plant, 

 found wild in the eastern parts of Europe, and was known to 

 the ancients. It is now generally cultivated throughout 

 Europe, and was introduced to England about three hundred 

 years ago. The female flowers consist of leafy cone-like cat- 

 kins (strobili), of a light colour, which are called Hops, 

 and are weU known as giving the best bitter to beer. It is 



