ON HEMP. 



7 



The fruit, or seed, grows in great abundance along the stem 

 of the female Hemp. From the axillae of the leaves there arise 

 small branches (Plate III. O ), which bear a very great number of 

 small leaves (P) and stipules f££}. In the axillas of these small 

 leaves and stipules we find the seeds in the following order : — Be- 

 twixt two seeds, growing at the axilla of a leaf, there arises a small 

 and frequently very short stalk, which is terminated by two leaves ; 

 and in the axilla of each of these two leaves, we find two other 

 seeds and a small stalk. These seeds are not preceded by any 

 flower. A membranaceous calix, shaped like a monk's cowl, 

 hairy, and of a greenish-yellow colour, and terminated by a long 

 point, encloses the pistils, the base of which becomes the seed, 

 and is terminated by two whitish filaments. 



It is probable, that the name of Male Hemp has been given to 

 the plants which bear the fruit, merely because they are larger and 

 stronger than the others : but this will not be deemed a sufficient 

 reason by those who have observed, that among animals, and espe- 

 cially in the genus of birds, there are many species, the males of 

 which are considerably smaller than the females. I trust, therefore, 

 it will be readily allowed, that we act with propriety in giving the 

 name of Female Hemp to the plants which produce the seed. But 



that 



and placed it under the focus of the microscope, observed a great number of 

 grains which opened and diffused an oily liquor, that floated on the water without 

 mixing withjt, i 



