284 VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES. 



of them is to be found, and in such abundance, that 

 the Arabians of all ranks use them, for some part of 

 the year, as their principal article of food. They 

 afford a very agreeable liquor. When its fruit is 

 nearly ripe, a hole is pierced into the pulp; this hole 

 is then stopped with wax, and the melon left upon 

 the stalk. Within a few days the pulp is, in conse- 

 quence of this process, converted into a delicious 

 liquor." Mr. Southey has alluded to this circum- 

 stance in the following passage : 



" Whither is gone the boy ? 

 He had pierced the melon's pulp, 

 And clothed with wax the wound ; 

 And he had duly gone at morn 

 And watched its ripening rind ; 

 And now all joyfully he brings 

 The treasure, now matured."* 



Although the melon is a very delicious fruit, it is 

 not one of the most wholesome ; more especially in 

 cold climates, where, if eaten in any considerable 

 quantity, it is apt to derange the stomach, unless 

 corrected by warm and stimulating ingredients ; and 

 the same remark may be applied to the cucumber. 



Small melons are, when equally ripe, more highly 

 flavoured than large ones. In general, however, the 

 fruit is chosen as much for show as for use, and thus 

 the large ones are preferred. Indeed, in almost all 

 the cultivated fruits and vegetables, quality is very 

 apt to be sacrificed to appearance ; as in the markets 

 the articles are bought by the judgment of the eye, 

 and not by that of the palate. To obtain the large 

 size, a ranker manuring, and higher culture, must be 

 resorted to than are altogether consistent with the 

 natural developement of the juices of the plant. 



Of the melon there are many varieties, and the 

 number of them is constantly increasing. Seventy- 



* Thalaba, book ii. 



