ECONOMIC OR USEFUL PLANTS 419 



taceas), which contains the watermelons, cucumbers, musk- 

 melons, pumpkins, etc. The floral and fruit structures of 

 this family are well represented by the squash. The musk- 

 melons have been derived from a species (Cucumis melo) 

 native in southern Asia but is now cultivated the world over. 

 Large crops are grown in New Jersey, Michigan and Colorado. 

 The two principal types of muskmelons are the cantaloupes, which 

 are elongated and have a furrowed or ribbed rind, and the nut- 

 meg melons, which have rinds with a netted sculpture. Water- 

 melons were derived from a species native in tropical Africa, and 

 have been cultivated from time immemorial, but now the United 

 States leads the world in their production. They are grown over 

 a large part of the United States, but the larger markets are 

 chiefly supplied from the southeastern states (Georgia especially). 

 Cucumbers (Cucumis sativus) are native to southern Asia, and 

 now are grown in different parts of the world. They are chiefly 

 used for pickles and are extensively grown in the United States. 

 Pumpkins (Cucurbita pepo) were native to the Western Conti- 

 nent, probably originating in tropical America. Squashes have 

 originated from several different species, some from the same 

 species as the pumpkin in America, and others from species native 

 to southern Asia. 



596. The chicory family (Cichoriaceae) includes the chicory 

 or succory (Cichorium intybus, known also as blue-sailors), the 

 oyster-plant or salsify (Tragopogon porrifolius) , the dandelion 

 (Taraxacum densleonis = Taraxacum taraxacum), the lettuce 

 (Lactuca), the hawkweed (Hieraceum), and others. Lettuce 

 (Lactuca sativa) is cultivated for salad, and is generally supposed 

 to be derived from one of the compass plants (Lactuca scariola, 

 see paragraph 132), a species native to Asia. Chicory is exten- 

 sively cultivated in Europe and Asia. The fleshy root is dried, 

 roasted and ground, when it is used as a substitute for coffee 

 or to adulterate it. The leaves, after being bleached, are also 

 used for salad. 



597. The thistle family (Composite) includes the thistle 

 (Carduus), asters (Aster), goldenrods (Solidago), sunflowers 



