212 OTJR COMMON FBUITS. 



its derivation ; 'and the lower 10 million whose ignobler 

 heads it can never wreathe, may console themselves for 

 the deprivation by the reflection that none who can secure 

 the fruit to eat need envy those who wear the leaves. 



CHAPTEE XVII. 

 THE MELON. 



ITS HISTOET AND GKOWTH. 



LABGEST of all fruits, yet growing on the lowliest of 

 fruit-bearing plants, the huge and heavy Melon, attached 

 to a stem which actually trails upon the ground, must 

 abase itself to the very earth during the period of growth, 

 though destined, perhaps, when gathered, to be exalted to 

 the table of princes. In this country, indeed, it may be 

 looked on as a more aristocratic kind of luxury than even 

 the pine-apple, and is likely to remain so, for though 

 certainly inferior to that most delicious fruit, this very 

 inferiority tends to keep it exclusive ; since while none, 

 perhaps, would taste the ananas once without desiring 

 to partake of it again, comparatively few are partial to the 

 peculiar flavour of melons, and being, therefore, only re- 

 quired by a select few, the fruit is not common because it 

 is not popular, while it is only by becoming common that 

 it could have a chance of attaining popularity. 



The melon is a native of the milder regions of Asia, but 

 was introduced into Europe before the time of Pliny, as 

 that writer, when treating of gourds and cucumbers, after 

 mentioning that " When the cucumber acquires a very 

 considerable volume it is known to us as the 'pepo' ' 

 (supposed to be the pumpkin), adds "Only of late a 

 cucumber of an entirely new shape has been produced in 

 Campania, having just the form of a quince. The name 



