PASSIFLOR1N.E. 481 



the aperture formed at the base of the fruit. The $ -flowers are 

 borne in racemes near the solitary ? -flowers (Fig. 517). Bryonia 

 (White Bryoriy) has chiefly unbranched tendrils and small, 

 greenish-yellow, usually dioecious flowers with rotate corolla, 

 in many-flowered inflorescences ; the small, spherical berry has 

 no specially firm outer layer, and generally only few seeds. 

 The tap-root and a few of the other roots are tuberous. S. 

 alba (berry black; monoecious) and dtoica (berry red ; dioecious). 

 Among other genera maybe mentioned: Larjenaria (Gourd); the fruit has a 

 woody external layer which, after the removal of the pulpy integument, may be 

 used as a gourd. Ltijf'a has a polypetalous corolla ; the fruit is dry, and consists 

 internally of a network of vascular bundles ; it opens by an aperture at the 

 summit. Benincasa ; the fruit has a close, bluish coating of wax. Trichos- 

 unthes (Snake Cucumber) has a thin, round, long and curved fruit. Momordica ; 

 the fleshy fruit opens and ejects the seeds. Cyclanthera takes its name from 

 the staminal column which is found in the centre of the $ -flower, bearing a bi- 

 locular, ring-like anther which opens by a horizontal cleft. The fruit is uni- 

 locular by suppression, has 1 placenta, and when touched opens and ejects the 

 seeds, Sicyos and Sechiitm have only unilocular ovaries with one pendulous 

 ovule. Sechiumh&s, moreover, 5 free stamens, of which only one is halved, the 

 other 4 having both halves of the anther. Fevillea and Thladiantha also have 

 5 free stamens. Dimorphochlamys has dimorphic flowers. 



POLLINATION is effected by insects, chiefly bees or wasps, the nectar being 

 secreted by the inner, yellow portion of the receptacle ; in the $ -flower access 

 is gained to the nectar through the slits between the stamens, which arch over 

 the nectary. 85 genera ; about 637 species ; especially in the Tropics. Only 

 two are found in. the whole of N. Europe, Bryonia alba and dioica ; in S. 

 Europe, Ecballium also. Most of the cultivated species have been obtained 

 from Asia, such as the Cucumber, Melon, Colocynth, several Luffa-species (the 

 " Gourds " mentioned in Scripture are Cucumis chatc) ; from Africa, the 

 Water-melon, Ciicurbita maxima, and others ; from S. Am., no doubt, the 

 Pumpkin (C. pepo and melopepo). USES. Many species are used in medicine 

 or for domestic purposes. Bitter, poisonous properties are found ; the fruits of 

 the two officinal ones are purgative : Ci trull n* coloci/nthis (Mediterranean, E. 

 India, Ceylon) and Ecballium elaterium, as well as various tropical species, the 

 roots of Bryonia, etc. The following are cultivated AS ARTICLES OF FOOD : 

 Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo, etc.), Cucumber (Cucumis sativus), Melon (Cucumis 

 melo), the Water-melon (Ci trull us vulgaris), Sechium edule (Cbocho), certain 

 species of Luffa (the young fruit). The Bottle Gourd is cultivated in tropical 

 countries for the sake of its hard pericarp, which is useful for bowls, bottles, 

 etc. The fruits of Ltijfa have a number of reticulately felted, tolerably firm 

 vascular bundles, which render them serviceable in various ways (as a kind of 

 " sponge "). The Cucurbits are of no use in the manufactures. Only a 

 few are cultivated as ornamental plants, chiefly as curiosities. 



W. B. I I 



