722 MONOECIA SYNGENESIA. Cucmilis. 



are also in this stage eaten raw and much used in curries, by 

 the natives. 



The seeds like those of the other Cucurbitaceous fruits con- 

 tain much farinaceous matter blended with a large portion of 

 mild oil ; the natives dry and grind them into a meal, which 

 they employ, as an article of diet ; they also express a mild 

 oil from them, which they use in food and to burn in their 

 lamps. Experience as well as analogy prove these seeds to 

 be highly nourishing- and well deserving of a more extensive 

 culture than is bestowed on them at present. 



The powder of the toasted seeds mixed with sugar is said 

 to be a powerful diuretic, and serviceable in promoting the 

 passage of sand or gravel. 



As far as my observation and information goes, this agri- 

 culture is chiefly confined to the Guntoor Circar, where these 

 seeds form a considerable branch of commerce; they are mix- 

 ed with those of Holcus Sorgum or some oilier of the large 

 culmiferous tribe and sown together ; these plants run on the 

 surface of the earth, and help to shade them from the sun, so 

 that they mutually help each other. 



The fruit 1 observed above keeps well for several months 

 if carefully gathered and suspended. This circumstance will 

 render them a very excellent article to carry to sea during 

 long voyages. 



6. C. iriyonis. R. 



Leaves deeply five-lobed ; lobes rounded, toothed. Fruit 

 oval, obsoletely three-sided, ten-striated, smooth, of the size 

 of a pullet's egg. 



Telhuj. Pam-budinga. 



The plant of this species resembles very much the last de- 

 scribed one ; it is never cultivated, is a native of the higher 

 lands that have been lately cultivated ; appears and flowers 

 durinff the wet and cold seasons. 



Stems like those of the last described species. Tendrils also 

 simple, the leaves are more deeply lobed and rather more 



