300 
The best proof that I have discovered, of the existence of the 
melon among the Romans, says De Candolle, is a fruit figured 
very perfectly in the fine mosaics of fruits in the museum of the 
Vatican. Dr. Comes certifies that a half melon is represented in 
a drawing at Herculaneum. Hence we find a certainty in the 
fruit, but a doubt is expressed as to the nomenclature, and here 
is where I think I have suceeded in throwing some light. The 
summary of my examinations of the meaning of these words used 
before the discovery of America are, as probabilities :— 
Citrullus = Cucumis sativus. 
Cucurbita = Lagenaria vulgaris. 
Melo = Cucumis melo. 
Melopepo = Cucumis melo. 
Melopepon — Citrullus vulgaris. 
Pepo = Cucumis melo. 
Pepon = Cucumis melo. 
Pumpkin — modern name for Cucurbita maxima, Pepo, 
moschata. 
Spharella gossypina, n. Sp. the perfect. Stage of ata g0S- 
sypina, Cooke.* 
By Gro. F, ATKINSON. 
° Plate CXXII- 
Several times during the autumn of 1890 I found at Auburn, 
Ala., specimens of a Spherella, few in number, on leaves of Gos- 
sypium herbaceum. The leaves also have specimens of Cercospora 
ossypina, Cooke, and I suspected the generic connection of the 
two, though no special stress was laid upon the coincidence, be- 
cause the leaves were also badly infected with a variety of other 
fungi. However, during the following winter in looking over a 
quantity of cotton leaves sent me by correspondents, I found the 
same Spherella on leaves from Eutaw and Alberta Station, Ala. 
The leaves were remarkable for being almost covered with a pro- 
fuse growth of the Cercospora on both sides. The Spherella was 
also very abundant, and I felt warranted in regarding it, with a 
good degree of certainty, as the perfect stage of Cercospora. 
*Read before the Botanical Club A. A. A. S. Washington meeting, Aug. 20, 
18gI. 
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