FLORAL EMBLEMS. 103 



CRITIC. 



Squirting Cucumber. — Momordica Elaterium, 



"Now learn what mortal cri ticks ought to show. 

 For ^tis but half a judge's task to know/' 



Pope. 



This plant, which produces that rough and 

 powerful cathartic medicine called elaterium, 

 is made the emblem of a critic. When in 

 skilful hands, both the juice of this squirting* 

 fruit, and the ink which descends from the 

 pen of the critic, become beneficial ; but there 

 are some, of whom Pope says, 



" Criticks I saw, that others' names deface. 

 And fix their own with labour in their place." 



