88 SELECT PLANTS FOR INDUSTRIAL CULTURE 



The medicinal extract of colocynth is prepared from the small 

 gourd of this species. Active principle : colocynthin. 



Cucumis Conomon, Thunberg. 



Japan. An annual. The large fruit is used for preserves. 



Cucumis Melo, Linne. 



The Melon. Originally from the country about the Caspian 

 Sea. The best varieties might also be naturalised in sand 

 deserts, particularly in places where some moisture collects. 

 Some of the Bokhara varieties are remarkably luscious and 

 large. Apparently remunerative results have been gained in 

 Belgium from experiments to cultivate melons for sugar and 

 treacle. The seeds thus obtained in quantity, become avail- 

 able for oil pressing. The root contains melonemetin. 



Cucumis Momordica, Roxburgh. 



Cultivated in India. It produces cucumbers 2 feet long, 

 bursting slowly when ripe into several divisions. Young, the 

 fruit is used like cucumbers ; aged, like melons. 



Cucumis sativus, Linne'. 



The Cucumber. Egypt. Indicated here merely for complete- 

 ness' sake, also because gherkin pickling ought to become a 

 more extended local industry. Dr. G. King brought under 

 notice and culture the Chinese cucumber " Solly- Qua, " which 

 attains a length of 7 feet, It must be trained on walls 

 or trellises, to afford to the fruit sufficient scope for suspen- 

 sion. 



Cucumis utilissimus, Roxburgh. 



Mountains of Bengal. An annual like the other species. 

 Fruit of the size and shape of an ostrich's egg, with the 

 flavour of melons. These fruits will keep for several months. 



Cucurbita maxima, Duchesne. 



Large Gourd. Turkey. Instances are on record of fruits 

 having weighed over 2 cwt. This species, also, is eligible for 

 naturalisation in the interior. Amongst other purposes it 

 serves for calabashes. 



Cucurbita Melopepo, Linne*. 



The Squash. May be regarded as a variety of C. Pepo. It 

 will endure storage for months. 



