314 CUCURBITACE^. [Diclinous Exogens. 



similar case, where symptoms of cholera wei'e induced by eating the bitter pulp. 

 The fruit of many of the species of Cucumis, the genus to which the Melon and Cucum- 

 ber belong, are powerfully cathartic ; among these C. Hardwickii and C. pseudo- 

 colocj-ntliis may be enumerated as the chief ; but even the Cucumbers, especially the 

 less highly cultivated varieties of India, are sometimes known to prove strongly aperient 

 in susceptible constitutions. C. Colocynthis (now Citrullus), the som-ce of the drug 

 Colocynth, affords one of the most valuable medicinal agents dei-ived from the Order. 

 The Melon, C. Melo, and C. utihssimus, so far as I have been able to learn, is free 

 from it. The fruit of some species of Luffa is \aolently cathartic, such as L. amara 

 and L. Bindaal of Roxburgh, and the Brazilian Luffas purgans and di-astica mentioned 

 by Martius ; yet, those of L. acutangula (Cucumis acutangulus, Ainslie) are a favourite 

 potherb of the natives of India, and are esteemed very wholesome. Some of -the species 

 of Bryonia, especially B. alba and B. dioica, partake of the cathartic properties of the 

 family in great mtensity. Curiously enough, the juice of their root is strongly cathartic, 

 and is often employed as such, wlnle the young shoots are so free from the property, 

 that they are used as potherbs, and are reported to resemble Asparagus in flavour. 

 The purgative properties of Bryony root have been long known, and in the opinion of 

 some modem writers have fallen into unmerited neglect, they being fully equal in power, 

 even when dried and powdered, to Jalap, and when recent much more so. Bryonia 

 americana and africana are said to have similar properties. Yet the root of B. abyssi- 

 nica, when cooked, is said to be eaten without danger. The root of Bryonia epigaea 

 was once supposed to be the famous Calimiba ; (see Mextspermaceje). Nearly alhed to 

 these plants appear to be various species of little known genera, Trianospenna, Wil- 

 brandia, and Cayaponia, BraziUan drastics of great energy. Trianospeinna ficifoha, 

 indeed (Bryonia ficifoha, Lam.) is a species of great reputation for its acti\'ity as a 

 pm'gative and pm'ifier of the blood. But of all those yet mentioned, none approach 

 the spurting Cucvmiber, Ecbalium agreste (Momordica Elaterium, Z., (tIkvs aypios), 

 in the concentrated \di*ulence of tliis quahty. It is a native of the hotter parts of 

 Europe, and remarkable for the force with which its poisonous pulp is suddenly expelled 

 fi'om the interior of the fruit, when it is quite ripe and the stalk is loosened. An inge- 

 nious explanation of this cui'ious phenomenon has been given by Dutrochet in his 

 Nouvelles Recherches sur V Endosmose. A few grains of Elaterium, a drug prepared from 

 the pulp of this plant, have been known occasionally to bring on symptoms of poisoning ; 

 a case is recorded by Dr. Cliristison, where a person, after can'}-ing a specimen in his 

 hat, was attacked with headache, succeeded by colic pains and frequent bilious vomit- 

 ing and pui'ging. Such being the predominant quality of the family, it is well to be 

 cautious in the use of even the best known species. 



Many, however, are in use as potherbs, among which may be mentioned with just 

 encomiums the red Gourd, Cucm-bita maxima, the flesh of wliich, when boiled, some* 

 what resembles in taste a tender Carrot ; the Water Melon, Cucm'bita citrullus, so highly 

 esteemed for the cool refreshing juice of its large fruit ; the white Gom'd (Benincasa 

 cerifera, or Cucm'bita pepo), which Ainshe informs us is presented at every native 

 maiTiage feast, being supposed to insm-e prosperity to the wedded pah' ; the Vegetable 

 Marrow (Cucurbita o\afera), justly esteemed one of our finest cuhnary vegetables, and a 

 few others. AU the numerous cultivated varieties of the Melon and Cucumber are 

 known to be wholesome. Some, if not all the Indian species of ^Momordica, seem 

 equally safe. M. Balsamina, a species with a singular warted fruit, and M. Charantia, 

 when steeped in oil, have some reputation as \'ulneraries. In a green state they form 

 an agreeable pickle. It should be observed, however, that the fniit of a plant called 

 Neurosperma cuspidata by Rafinesque, which is generally supposed to be Momordica 

 Balsamina, is, according to that author, a dangerous poison, or in small doses a hydra- 

 gogue. Momordica operculata, a plant common in the southern provinces of Brazil, 

 quite answers to the character given of this Nem'osperma, so far as its di'astic quahties go. 



A waxy substance is secreted by the sm-face of the fniit of Benmcasa cerifera. 

 The fruit of several species of Trichosanthes, especially that of T. anguma, are in 

 daily use ui India, even among Europeans, dressed m ciu-ries ; but those of T. palmata 

 are not employed, and are considered poisonous by the natives. Those of Coccinia 

 indica (Momordica monadelpha, Roxb.), so common in every Indian hedge, are eaten by 

 the natives in their curries, and when fully ripe (quite red and pulpy) seem to afford 

 a favom-ite repast to many bu'ds. 



The seeds of all the species are oily, and capable of forming very readily an emulsion ; 

 those of Telfairia pedata (Joliffia africana, B.C.), an African plant, are as large as 

 Chestnuts, and said to be as excellent as Almonds, having a very agreeable flavom- ; 

 when pressed they yield an abundance of oil, equal to that of the finest Olives. The 

 pulp is excessively bitter, and produced a violent headache when only applied to the 

 tongue. De Candolle remarks, that the seeds of this family never participate in the 



