CITRULLUS COLOCYNTHIS 133 



serrate, with short hairs on under surface. Melon hollow, 

 glabrous, very long, cylindrical, tapering at the ends, covered 

 with tubercles, some elevated in longitudinal lines, others de- 

 pressed ; seeds in 3 rows, enveloped in pulpy arils, white, long 

 quadrangular, truncate above, encircled by 2 rows of obtuse 

 toothlets. 



Habitat. — Both grow in all parts and are well known. 



Citrullus Colocynthis, Schard. (Cucumis Colocynthis, L.) 



Nom. Vulg. — Coloqu'mtida, Sp.; Colocynth, Bitter Apple, 

 Eng. 



Uses. — The part employed is the fruit pulp, official in all the 

 pharmacopoeias as a very energetic hydragogue cathartic. It is 

 seldom given alone, but in combination with other drugs to 

 modify its energy and its action. 



In large doses it causes vomiting, bloody diarrhoea and a series 

 of nervous phenomena that may end in death. Six to ten 

 grams constitute a toxic dose. It operates with most force upon 

 the large intestines and sympathetically upon the uterus. 



Dose.— Extract, 0.10-0.30 gram; powder, 0.30-1.00 gram. 



The pulp contains a yellow, intensely bitter substance, quite 

 soluble in water and in alcohol, discovered by Hubschmann 

 and named by him eoloquintina. The seeds contain 17J& of an 

 insipid oil. 



Botanical Description. — An herb with long, prostrate 

 stems covered with stiff hairs. Leaves alternate, triangular, 

 deeply cleft in 3 lobules that subdivide. Petioles long. The 

 color of the leaves is pale green above, whitish or gray and 

 covered with white hairs underneath. Flowers yellow, monoe- 

 cious, solitary, axillary, with long peduncles. Staminate : re- 

 ceptacle cup-formed, 5 sepals and 5 free, yellow petals ; 5 

 stamens in pairs, one free. Pistillate : the receptacle globose, 

 covering the lower part of the ovary ; 3 staminodes take the 

 place of the stamens. Ovary unilocular, uniovulate, with a 



