170 CUCURBIT ACEOUS PLANTS. 



Hercules Fruit very long, frequently measuring up- 



Club. 



wards of five feet in length. It is smallest 



towards the stem, and increases gradually in size towards 

 the opposite extremity, which is rounded, and near which, in 

 its largest diameter, it measures from four to five inches. 

 Its form is quite peculiar, and is not unlike that of a massive 

 club ; whence the name. 



It is frequently seen at horticultural and agricultural 

 shows ; and, though sometimes exhibited as a u cucumber," 

 has little or no value as an esculent, and must be considered 

 much more curious than useful. It is of a pea-green color 

 while growing, and the skin is then quite soft and tender ; 

 but, like the other varieties, the surface becomes smooth, 

 and the skin hard and shell-like, at maturity. 



Powder- Fruit long and slender, broadest at the base, 



Horn. 

 couRGEpoiREA tapering towards the stem, and often more or 



POUDKE. Vll. 



less curved. In its general form it resembles 

 a common horn, as implied by the name. Its usual length is 

 twelve or fourteen inches ; and its largest diameter nearly 

 three inches. 



Siphon Fruit rounded, and flattened at the blossom- 



Grourd. 



COUROE SIPHON, end ; then suddenly contracted to a long, slen- 

 der neck. The latter often bends or turns sud- 

 denly at nearly a right angle ; and, in this form, the fruit 

 resembles a siphon. Pea green while young, pale green 

 when mature. Shell thick and hard. 



THE MELON. 



Of the Melon there are two species in general cultiva- 

 tion, tlie Musk-melon (Cticumis melo) and the Water-melon 



