AN ENCYCLOPADIA 
OF HORTICULTURE. 
351 
Melon continued. 
fruits; it is cultivated, almost without shelter, in the 
open fields in Normandy, & . The Embroidered Market 
Melon (see Fig. 543), also a netted variety, bears a large 
nearly spherical fruit, with orange, or reddish-orange 
FIG. 544. FIGARI MELON, 
flesh; the ribs are not prominent. The Figari (see Fig. 
544) is an ornamental and small-fruited Melon, probably 
of African origin. Its obovoid fruits are scarcely as 
large as a medium-sized hen’s egg; they are smooth 
and yellow when ripe, and exhale a very decided Melon 
odour, but are not edible, being only cultivated for 
Fig. 545. PERSIAN MELON. 
ornament, garnishing, &. The Persian Melon (see Fig. 
545) has elongated pear-shaped fruits, of medium size, 
without ribs, not, or only slightly, netted; the rind is 
yellow, marbled with dark green; the flesh is greenish- 
white, and very sugary; this sort keeps a long time. 
Fig. 546. QUEEN ANNE’S POCKET, OR DuDAIM, MELON. 
Queen Anne’s Pocket, or Dudaim (see Fig. 546), does not 
differ markedly in foliage and habit from ordinary Melons, 
but its very small round fruits, marbled with brown on an 
orange or orange-red ground, distinguish it at once from 
all others; it is probably of African origin. The fruits, 
when ripe, have a very strong odour, but are not edible; 
they are only of use for garnishing and decorative purposes. 
Fic. 547. WINTER MELON. 
The Winter Melon (see Fig. 547) is the largest of the 
white-fleshed kinds, but is also one of the least desirable. 
The fruit is elliptic, more or less elongated, rarely sub- 
Spherical, with a smooth or faintly netted skin, and thick 
flesh ; it varies much in size and colour, the latter ranging 
from dark green to creamy-white or yellow. This sort is 
Cultivated in open fields in the South of Europe. 
Melon—continued. s 
Melons are usually divided into two, and sometimes 
into three, classes, according to the colour of their flesh 
inside the skin. For all practical purposes, the two 
under which the subjoined limited selection of varieties 
are classed, are amongst the best in cultivation. Doubt- 
less, there are very many others considered of equal or 
superior merit, according to the views of different cul- 
tivators and consumers of the fruit. 
Class I. Green and White-fleshed. 
Cashmere (Meredith’s). Fruit medium or large, oval, slight) 
ribbed ; skin thin, yellow when ripe, not much netted , — 
nearly white, very juicy, and of excellent flavour. An old variety, 
but, when well grown, one of the best in cultivation. 
Colston Bassett 1 S Fruit slightly obovate ; skin yellow, 
beautifully netted; flesh whitish, melting, very juicy, 
Eastnor Castle. Fruit medium or large, from 3lb. to Alb. in 
weight; skin pale yellow; flesh melting, and very rich. A free 
grower and bearer; one of the best, but does not keep long. 
Gilberts Green-fleshed. Fruit large, oval, greenish-yellow; 
flesh melting and juicy. 
Golden Gem (Cox’s). Fruit round, yellow, netted ; flesh whitish- 
green, of good flavour. 
Golden Queen. Fruit medium, round ; skin thin, golden-yellow, 
1 netted ; flesh very juicy. Plant of a hardy constitu- 
on. 
Hero of Lockinge. Fruit medium; skin rich golden-yellow, 
with white lacing ; flesh white, melting, of very fine flavour. An 
excellent variety, either for pits or houses, 
Queen Emma. Flesh almost white, tender, and melting, with 
thin rind, A large, handsome, free-bearing variety, of strong 
constitution. 
Victory of Bath (Gilbert's). Fruit large, slightly oval; skin 
nish-yellow, not much netted ; flesh green, juicy, and richly 
voured. Plant of moderate growth. 
William Tillery. Fruit large, handsome; skin dark green, thin; 
flesh pale green, juicy, sweet, and of excellent quality. One of 
the best varieties if well grown. 
Class II. Scarlet-fleshed. 
bgp ge Fruit medium or large, and of excellent 
flavour. Plant of good constitution, and remarkably prolific; 
one of the best of this class. 
Read’s Scarlet-fleshed. Fruit medium size, beautifully 
netted, more oblong than Scarlet Gem; flesh solid, and of good 
quality. An old but excellent sort. oan 
Scarlet Gem. Fruit nearly round, handsomely netted all over. 
A constant, free-bearing variety, of excellent flavour. 
8 e aris Me gr Ag Mle 
delicate aroma. 
MELON, Musk. See Cucurbita moschata. 
MELON THISTLE. See Melocactus. 
MELON, WATER. See Citrullus vulgaris. 
MEMBRANOUS, MEMBRANACEOUS. Having 
the texture of a membrane. 
MEMECYLEZ. A tribe of Melastomacee. 
MEMECYLON (the Greek name used by Dioscorides 
for the fruit of the Arbutus). Syn. Scutula. Orb. 
Melastomacee. A genus consisting of about 100 species 
of very glabrous trees and shrubs, inhabiting Asia, 
Australia, the Pacific Islands, tropical Africa, and Ceylon, 
many being found on the seashores. Flowers white or 
bluish, frequently axillary, or springing from below the 
leaves, or terminal, fasciculate, or in panicles. Leaves 
sessile or shortly petiolate. Various dyes are extracted 
from some of the Cingalese species. M. edule has 
edible but astringent berries. The species are unknown 
to cultivation in this country. 
MENINIA TURGIDA. 
thus turgida (which see). 
(from meniskos, a crescent; referring 
hape of the spores). ORD. Filices. A genus 
eet „ species of very distinct stove ferns, 
alisat confined to the tropics. Fronds simple or once 
innate. Sori oblong or linear, occupying the conni- 
aen transverse veinlets. The species generally do well 
A synonym of Cystacan- 
