Note E318 — 51.

Fimble, or Female Hemp, so called, I suppose, because it falls to the Female's share to tew-taw it, that is, to dress it and to spin it, etc. The Fimble Hemp is that which is ripe soonest and fittest for spinning, and is not worth above half as much as the Carle with its seed.—T.R. "The male is called Charle Hempe, and Winter Hempe; the Female Barren Hempe and Sommer Hempe."—Gerard's Herball, p. 572. "Hemp was much cultivated here until the end of the great war with France. The Carl or male hemp was used for ropes, sackcloth, and other coarse manufactures: the fimble, or female hemp, was applied to making sheets and other domestic purposes."—Peacock's Gloss. of Manley, etc., E. D. Soc.

It is curious that the Karl or male hemp should be in reality the female plant, but other authors use the names in the same way. "The femell hempe ... beareth no sede."—Fitzherbert, "Boke of Husbandry." See also 55. 8. Gerard says the female hemp is "barren and without seede, contrarie to the nature of that sexe."—Note by Mr. J. Britten, F.L.S.