360 CUCURBIT ACE^. [part ii. 



This section contains three genera, the most 

 remarkable plants in which are the Cannon 

 Ball-tree {Lecytliis Ollaria), and the Brazil Nut 

 {Bertholletia excelsa). The fruit of this last 

 plant is fleshy, and as large as a child's head, 

 opening with a lid, and containing sixteen or 

 twenty triangular seeds, laid over each other in 

 a regular manner, which are theBrazil-nuts sold 

 in the shops. 



ORDER LXXXV.— CUCURBITACE^.— THE GOURD 

 TRIBE. 



The plants included in this order have gene- 

 rally the male and female flowers distinct. The 

 calyx is tubular, and generally five-toothed; 

 there are five petals usually connected at the 

 base, and which have strongly marked reticu- 

 lated veins. There are five stamens, four of 

 which are united so as to form two pairs, with 

 the fifth one free. The anthers are two-celled, 

 and generally very long. There are three or 

 five two-lobed stigmas, which are thick and 

 velvety. The fruit is fleshy, with numerous flat 

 seeds. The leaves are palmate, and very rough ; 

 and the plants have succulent stems, and climb 

 by means of their tendrils. The principal genera 

 are, Cucumis, which includes the Melon (C 

 melo)y the Cucumber (C sativus), the Mandrake 



