106 Select Plants for Industrial Culture 



Cryptomeria Japonica, D. Don. 



The Sugi or Japanese Cedar. Japan and Xorthern China. The 

 largest tree in Japan, the trunk attaining 35 feet in circumference 

 (Rein) and 120 feet in height. Stem long, clear, of perfect straight- 

 ness; the plant is also grown for hedges; in Japan it yields the most 

 esteemed timber, scented like that of Cedrela (Christie). It requires 

 forest-valleys for successful growth. The wood is durable, compact, 

 soft and easy to work; more extensively utilized in Japan than any 

 other. In the Azores the tree is preferred even to the Pinus Halep- 

 pensis for timber-culture, on account of its still more rapid growth in 

 that insular climate. Several garden-varieties exist. Lives unpro- 

 tected still at Christiania. 



Cucurnis Angnria, Linn. 



Wild in tropical America, but according to Sir Jos. Hooker and 

 Prof. Naudin perhaps of African origin ; all other species belonging 

 to the eastern hemisphere. Annual. The fruit serves for pickles. 



Cucumis cicatratus, Stocks. 



Scinde, where it is called " Wungee." The edible ovate fruit is 

 about 6 inches long. Deemed a wild form of C. Melo by Cogniaux. 



Cucumis Citrullus, Seringe. (Citrullus vulgaris, Schrader.) 



Indigenous probably only in Eastern Africa. The Water-Melon. 

 It is simply mentioned here, to indicate the desirability of naturalizing 

 it in any desert. In those of South- Africa it has become sponta- 

 neously established, and retained the characters of the cultivated 

 fruit. 



Cucumis Colocynthis, Linne". (Citrullus Colocynthis, Schrader.) 



From the Mediterranean regions to India. An annual herb. The 

 medicinal extract of colocynth is prepared from the small gourd of 

 this species. Active principle: colocynthin. 



Cucumis Melo, Linne". 



The Melon. Originally from the country about the Caspian Sea, 

 but some forms indigenous to India, northern and tropical Africa and 

 tropical Australia, if really all the forms united by Cogniaux are con- 

 specific. The best varieties might also be naturalized in sand- 

 deserts, particularly in places where some moisture collects. In 

 seasons of drought the Muscat-Melon, introduced by the author into 

 Central Australia, has borne fruit there more amply than any other 

 variety. 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 available for oil-pressing. 

 The root contains melonemetin. The Japan C. conomon (Thunberg) 

 belongs to this species. Prof. Naudin investigated extensively the 

 variability of this and allied plants. Some varieties of melons and 

 pumpkins ripen in Scandinavia during the long summers there in the 

 open air far uorth; all are annual. 



