300 EXTRACTS FROM 



and taste. In fact, we find it so, and are at no expence in 

 getting it. 



MONCECIA MONADELPHIA. 



134. CUCURBITA LAGENABIA, L. — Gourd. 



We have a great variety of gourds. They differ in size, 

 shape, and virtue. 



The large gourd, when freed of its pulp and seeds, will 

 hold from six to ten gallons of water. The Negroes make an 

 instrument of it somewhat like a guitar, which they call a 

 Banga, and play many tunes on it, not indeed very harmo- 

 niously. 



Some gourds are shaped like bottles ; some are cylindrical, 

 and serve for powder-horns. The small round gourds are 

 the Cacumis colocynthis, or bitter gourd, of Linnaeus, and 

 grow wild in many parts of the country. Their drastic juice 

 is used by some people to remove obstructions of the catame- 

 niae. Lewd wenches have been known to procure abortion 

 by a large dose of the juice of these plants. 



135. Cucumis Anguria, L. — Wild Pompion. 



The fruit,, when ripe, is yellow, feels soft, and has an un- 

 common smell, resembling spirit of nitre, but not so agree- 

 able, for when held up to the mouth or nose, it is apt to excite 

 nausea and vomiting. 



The vines of the wild pompion wither so soon as the fruit 

 is ripe. 



The birds and ants eat the pulp before the fruit falls. 



