NETTLE, Urtka, a genus of plants of the natural order Urticem, having unisexual flowers, the male and female on the same or separate plants; the male flowers with a 4– parted perianth, and four stamens; the female flowers with a 2–parted perianth and a tufted stigma; the fruit an aehenium. The species are herbaeeous plants, shrubs, or even trees, many of them covered with stinging hairs, which pierce the skin when touched, and emit an acrid juice, often causing much inflammation and pain. When a nettle is grasped in such away as to press the hairs to the stem, no stinging ensues; but the slighest inadvertent touch of some of the species produces very severe pain. The stinging of the native nettles of Europe is trifling in comparison with that of some East Indian species. U. crenulata is particularly notable for the severity of the pain which it produces, without either pustules or apparent inflammation. The first sensation is merely a slight tingling, but within an hour violent pain is felt, as if a red-hot iron were continually applied, and the pain extends far from the original spot, continues for about twenty-four hours and then abates, but is ready to return in its original intensity on the application of cold water, and does not cease for fully eight days. Cold water has a similar effect in increasing or renewing the pain of all kinds of nettles. Still more formidable than this species is U. ureirtisszaza, the Devil's Leaf of Timor. Of British species, the most venomous. but the most rare, is the ROMAN NETTLE (U. pilulifera); next to it is the SMALL NETTLE( 'areas), frequent about towns and villages, and in waste and cultivated ground; whilst the least venomous is the most common and only perennial species, the GREAT NETTLE (U. dialect), everywhere abundant, but particularly near human habitations, or their former sites, the desolation of which it may be said to pro claim. The roots of nettles, boiled with alum, afford a yellow dye; and the juice of the stalks and leaves has been used to dye woolen stuffs of a beautiful and permanent green. The young shoots of U. dialect are used in some parts of Scotland and other countries as greens, and their peculiar flavor is much relished by some, although, in general, the use of them is confined to the poor; which, however, is probably the result of mere preju dice. Whatever it is that gives nettles their stinging power, is dissipated by
The high value of nettles as food for swine, is well known to the peasantry of many countries; the great Nettle is cultivated in Sweden for fodder of domestic animals; net tles are also highly esteemed as food for poultry, particularly for turkeys. The seeds are extremely nutritious to poultry; and are given to horses by jockeys, in order to make. them lively when they are to be offered for sale. The stalks and leaves of nettles are employed in some parts of England, for the manufacture of a light kind of beer, called Nettle beer, which may be seen advertised at stalls, and in humble shops in Manchester and other towns. The best fiber of nettles is useful for textile purposes. Yarn and cloth, both of the coarsest and fittest descriptions, can be made of it. The fiber of U. dioica was used by the ancient Egyptians, and is still used in Piedmont and other coun tries. When wanted for fiber, the plant is cut in the middle of summer, and treated like hemp, The names Nettle Yarn and Nettle Cloth are, however, now commonly given ht most parts of to particular linen end cotton fahrics.—The fiber. of U. eannabina, A native of the south of Siberia and 'other middle parts of Asia, is much used; and from that of U. Whitlawi, both fine lace and strong ropes can be manufactured. The fiber of U. Japonica is much used in Japan, and that of IL argentea in the South Sea islands; that of U. Canadensis is used in Canada. —The seeds and herbage of U. membranacea are used in Egypt as emmenugogue and aphrodisiac; and somewhat similar properties are ascribed to U. dioica.— U. tilberosa produces tubers, which arc nutritious, and are eaten in India, raw, boiled, or roasted.—Australia produces a magnificent tree-nettle, U. gigas, abundant in some parts of New South Wales, ordinarily from 25 to 50 ft. high, but sometimes 120 or 140 ft., with trunk of great thickness, and very large green leaves, which, when young, sting violently. In some places, it forms scrub forests, and its Stinging leaves form a great impediment to the traveler.