AN ENCYCLOPEDIA OF HORTICULTURE. 



407 



Cucrtmis continued. 



corolla as in the male ; stigmas three to fonr, shortly two-lobed. 

 fr. ovate or sub-globose, eight to twelve-farrowed ; flesh sugary, 

 yellow, red, or white. July. I roundish, angular, petiolate. 

 Stem trailing, scabrous, cirrhiferoiu. Asia, 15m For special 

 detailed culture, tee Melon. 



C. perennls. See Cucurbita perennis. 



C. satfvus (cultivated). Common Cucumber. Jl. on short 



peduncles, large, usually in threes. July to September. Jr. 



generally elongated, smooth or prickly, and usually shining. 



L cordate, obscurely five-lobed, petiolate ; terminal lobe the 



largest. Stems rough, bearing tendrils. Native place unknown. 



1573. Cultivated in all warm countries. For cultivation and list 



of varieties, see Cucumber. 



CUCURBITA (from Cucumit, the Cucumber, and orbit, 

 a globe ; in allusion to the shape of the fruit). Gourd. 

 OBD. Cucurbitaceae. Half-hardy trailing animals. Flowers 

 monoecious; corolla yellow, campanulate. Males: calyi 

 hemispherically campanulate ; stamens three, one one- 

 celled, two two-celled. Females : calyx oboyate-clavate, 

 narrowed towards the top, or campanulate, and always 

 circumcised under the limb after flowering. For culture, 

 &c., tee Gourds. 



C. m<nrt*"^ (largest). Large Hollow Gourd or Pumpkin. JL, tub* 

 of calyx obovate, ending in a short neck. July. fr. yellow, 

 red, or green, globose, somewhat depressed, i. cordate, very 



FIG. 564. FRUIT OF CUCURBITA MAXIMA COURGKT.O. 



C. 8. sikklmensls (Sikkim). /.yellow. July. Jr. reddish-brown, 

 densely reticulated with pale yellow, large, singular in form, and 

 ripening in July and August. Eastern Himalayas, 1875. This is 

 one of the most remarkable varieties of the common Cucumber 

 known, and was first botanically noticed by Sir Joseph Hooker, 

 in 1848. In its native country, it is sold in the markets, and eaten 

 both raw and cooked. (B. M. 6206.) 

 Other species are often cultivated, more from their curious fruit 



than from any particularly ornamental merit ; among these are 



C. diptaceus and C. metulifcru*. 



FIG, 565. CUCURBITA MOSCHATA, showing Leaves, Female and 

 Male Flowers, &c. 



Fio. 667. COSTARD GOURD (CCCURBITA PETO VARIETY^ 



rugged ; petioles hispid. Native country unknown. Cultivated 

 in all warm and temperate parts of the globe. 

 0. m. Courgero (Courgero). fr. green or yellow, small, fuil at 



FIG. 568. CUCURBITA PEPO GOURD, showing (1) Leaf, and 

 (2) Male and (5) Female Flowers. 



