CUCTTRBITACEJE. (GOURD FAMILY.) 145 
Ovary 2-celled, with 2 erect ovules in each cell: stigma broad. 
Fruit a large globose-ovoid membranaceous pod, clothed with 
weak prickles, dry when ripe, bursting at the end, 2-celled, 
4-seeded, the inner part fibrous-netted. Seeds large, obovate- 
oblong. — An annual rank and tall-climbing plant, nearly smooth, 
with sharply 5-lobed thin leaves, and very numerous and small 
greenish-white flowers ; the sterile in compound racemes often 
1° long, the fruitful in small clusters or solitary, from the same 
axils. (Name composed of i^ivos, a hedgehog , and kvotls , a 
bladder , from the prickly covering of the bladdery fruit.) 
1. E. lobata, Torr. & Gr. (Sicyos, Michx . Momordica echi- 
nkta, Muhl ) — Rich soil along rivers, W. New England to Wisconsin. 
July - Oct. — Lobes of the leaves triangular, pointed. Fruit 1^' 
long. 
Cucumis satIvus, the Cucumber; C. Melo, the Musk-melon, C. 
Citrullus, the Water-melon ; CuctjRBiTA Pepo, the Pumpkin, C. 
Melopepo, the Round Squash, C. Verrucosa, the Long Squash ; 
C. aurantia, the Orange Gourd ; LagenIria vulgaris, the Bot¬ 
tle Gourd, and Momordica Balsamina, the Balsam Apple, are 
the most familiar cultivated representatives of this family. 
Order 46. CRASSUEACEiE. (Orpine Family.) 
Succulent herbs , with perfectly symmetrical flowers; viz. 
the petals and pistils equalling the sepals in number (3-20), 
and the stamens the same or double their number. — Sepals 
persistent, more or less united at the base. Petals imbri¬ 
cated in the bud (rarely wanting), inserted, with the distinct 
stamens, on the base of the calyx. Pistils distinct (united 
below in Penthorum), usually with a little scale at the base 
of each. Pods (follicles) opening along the inner suture. 
Seeds anatropous; the embryo surrounded by thin albumen. 
Flowers usually cymose, small. Leaves chiefly sessile. 
Synopsis. 
* Pistils entirely separate. (True Crassulaceae.) 
1. Tilljea. Sepals, petals, stamens, and pistils 3 or 4, distinct. 
2. Sedum. Sepals, petals, and pistils 5 - 4, distinct. Stamens 10-S. 
* * Pistils united below into a 5-celled pod. 
3. Penthorum. Sepals 5. Petals none. Stamens 10. 
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