352 



MANUAL OF BOTANY 



milky juice is said to be poisonous in some species, and emmena- 

 gogue in others. The seeds of some species are also emmena- 

 gogue. 



Order 153. Cucurbitace^, the Gourd Order. — C h a r a c t e r. — 

 Herbs, generally of a succulent nature, and either prostrate, or 

 climbing by means of tendrils. Leaves succulent, alternate, with 

 a radiate venation, more or less scabrous, exstipulate. Floivers 

 unisexual, monoecious or dioecious. Calyx gamosepalous, 5- 

 toothed, the limb sometimes obsolete, superior in the female 

 flowers. Corolla gamopetalous, 4 — 5-parted, or of distinct valvate 

 or induplicate petals, sometimes fringed, perigynous. Mole 

 flower : — Stamens usually 5, epipetalous, and alternate with the 



Fig. 1111. 



Fig. 1112. 



Fig. Till. Female or pistillate flower of the Cucumber (Cucumis salirwi). co. 

 Calyx adherent to the ovary ; tlie limb is seen above, with five divisions. 



» Corolla, s. Stigmas. Fig. U12. Male or stamiuate flower of the same, 



the floral envelopes of which have been divided in a longitudinal manner. 

 From Jussieu. c. Calyx. 2^. Corolla, st. Stamens. 



segments of the corolla, either distinct or monadelphous, or 

 more frequently triadelphous in such a way that two of the 

 bundles contain each 2 stamens, and the other but 1 stamen ; 

 rarely there are but 2 or 3 stamens present ; anthers 2-celled, 

 usually long and sinuous, or sometimes straight. Female 

 flower :— Ovary inferior, l-celled, or generally spuriously 3- 

 celled from the projection inwards of the placentas; idacentas 

 parietal, usually 3, or rarely 2 ; ovules indefinite or sometimes 

 soUtary ; style short ; stigmas thickened, papillose, lobed or 

 fringed. Friiit a pepo, or rarely a berry. Seeds more or less 

 flattened, usually with a leathery or horny testa, which is en- 

 veloped in a succulent or membranous covering; generally 



