Fig. 45. ECBALIUM ELATEKIUM, THE SQI'IKTING GOURD. 



GOURDS AND PUMPKINS. 



CHAPTER XYI. 



" Fair gardens, shining streams, with ranks 

 Of golden melons on their banks." 



Two plants only of the Gourd family grow wild in 

 Europe : one is the well-known Bryony (B. Dioica], 

 graceful ornament of the banks and hedgerows here 

 as in the north ; the other is the curious Squirting 

 Gourd (Ecbalium Elaterium, Fig. 45). You will find 

 this latter plant in dry, hot, dusty places, on ruins, 

 rubbish heaps, &c. It is common all along the coast. 

 A harmless-looking plant enough, lying close to the 

 sunburnt soil with its rough grey-green leaves ; for 

 it has no tendrils, and cannot raise itself up by laying 

 hold of some support, as other plants of its order are 

 wont to do. 



Now, every living herb has its secret ; some special 

 mystery of leaf or stem or fruit or seed. In many cases 



