4 O N H E M P. 



If we now examine the root, we shall find one large central 

 fibre, white and woody, from which smaller ones branch out in 

 every direction. 



Every grain of seed produces only one stem, which rises to the 

 height of five or six feet.* The stalk is channelled, and hollow in 

 the inside, where we find a white, soft, medullary substance. 

 This substance is enveloped by a very tender pipe, which appears to 

 be chiefly composed of a cellular texture, and of some longitudinal 

 fibres. This is the part which is called the reed of the Hemp, or 

 more commonly the boon. It is covered with a green bark, hairy, 

 and rough to the touch, which is formed of a great number of 

 woody fibres, extending the whole length of the stem : they do 

 not appear to be reticulated, but are placed parallel to each other, 

 and united by means of the cellular texture. 



If we examine these longitudinal fibres by the microscope, we 

 discover, that they are bundles of fibrils, or fibres of an extreme 

 fineness : we likewise perceive, that these fibrils are twisted spirally. 

 After macerating the fibres for some time, these twisted fibrils may 

 be stretched out to a considerable length ( m). 



The 



* Near Bischwiller, in Alsace, are found Hemp-Plants, which at the bot- 

 tom part of the stalk are more than three inches in diameter, and rise to a height of 

 more than twelve feet. The strongest man is unable to pull them up by the 

 jroots. 



