BOOK III. CHAP. VIII. 8oi 



Dr. HafTclqulft cautions, that this fruit fiiould be eaten with circum- 

 fpei^ion ; for if taken liberally in the heat of the day, when the body is 

 very warm, bad confequences c^ften enfue; and it may occafion colics, 

 loofenefles, fluxes, a foul llomach, &c. It will fometimes chill the 

 flomach like ice, and a too free indulgence in it is thought to nourifh 

 and multiply the gourd and tape worms. 



The like caution is requifite in regard to all the melon and cucumber 

 tribe, which ought to be eaten iparingly in this climate, and not with- 

 out fome correftive, fuch as fugar, Madeira wine, or pepper and fait. 



The French in the iflands uie fugar, and fometimes an addition of a 

 little lime juice, with moft of their fruits. 



153, Wild Cucumber. — Cuciimis fubhh-fidus, minor, fylvejlris. 



This grows wild in the woods in great abundance ; and the fruit is 

 efteemed a wholefome, agreeable ingredient in foups ; it makes a good 

 pickle. The European cucumbers thrive fo well here, that they may 

 almoft be reckoned indigenous. The tribe of gourds is very nume- 

 rous; Ifliall only notice the more ufeful. 



154. Small Gourd. — Cucurb'iia v'iUofa,fruElu pyrlformi mlnor'i. 



The fliells are generally made ufe of by the Negroes for bottles and 

 water-cups; a deco6lion of the leaves is given in purgative clyfters ; 

 and the pulp is often employed in refolutive poultices. 



155. Slender-winding Gourd, or Sweet Gourd. -^ Cucurbita 

 fru£lu loiigijjimo, bipedali, incurvo, obtufo. 



This is cultivated for the fake of its fruit, which, when boiled, is 

 wholefome and nourifliing, frequently made into puddings, and particu- 

 larly relifhing with fait meat. 



156. Large Gourd. — CucurbitafruSiu maxima fubrotundo. 



This is cultivated chiefly for the fake of its fliell, which grows fre- 

 quently fo large as to contain between 30 and 40 quarts. Dr. Barham 

 Ipeaks of one prefented to him which held 36 quarts; and adds, that he 

 carried two to England, which were perfedly globular, exadly of a 

 iize, and contained 24 quarts each. Where the aloes is manufactured 

 for export, it is commonly preferved in thefe fhells, of middling bulk. 



Vol. III. 5 K Thej 



