166 The Ufeful Family Herbal. 
Veffels are fhort and roundifh, and they ftand in 
vaft Quantities, forming a kind of Spikes all the 
Way up the Tops of the Branches, with a few 
_ Flowers at the Summit. 
_ The ‘frefh Tops of the Plant are to be ufed . 
before it is run to Seed. An Infufion of them 
fweetened with Honey, is excellent for fore Th: 
and Ulcerations of the Mouth. The Seeds yield 
a great Quantity of Oil on preffing, and they are 
fo plentiful, that it might feem worth while to 
cultivate the Plant for them, the Oil is pleafant 
The Gourp, | Ee 
CUCURMITA = 2. Js 
A tatse Plant of the Melon or Cucumber kind 
kept in Gardens. The Stalks are ten of 
twelve Feet long, thick, angular, rough, and hairy, 
but unable to fupport themfelves upright : They 
trail upon the Ground, or climb upon other 
Things. The Leaves are very large and broad, _ 
indented deeply, rough, and of a blackifh Green. 
_ The Flowers are large, and Bell-fafhioned, white 
and downy on the Infide, and not altogether 
fmooth on the outer Surface. © 
The Fruit is large, and has a hard firm Shell on 
the Outfide, and is flefhy and Juicy within, with 
Seeds.in the Manner of the Melons ; thefe are flat, 
of an oblong Shape, and hard. — 
_ Thefe Seeds are the only Part ufed: They are. 
cooling and diuretic, They have this Virtue in 
_ much the fame Degree with Cucumber and Melon 
Seeds, and are given with them in Emulfions. _ 
Te 
