MELON OF ECONOMIC PLANTS. 271 



named on account of its flowers having some resemblance to a 

 hop cone, is also cultivated for fodder. 



Medlar {J\Icspiliis gcrmanica), a small spreading tree or bush 

 of the Apple family (Pomacea3). It is found in hedges and 

 uncultivated places in this country, as well as in France, Ger- 

 many, and Southern Europe. The fruit is about the size of a 

 very small apple, having the lobes of the calyx well developed 

 and permanent on its apex. It is unfit for eating until it loses its 

 green colour and begins to decay, when it acquires an agreeable 

 acid somewhat astringent flavour. 



Medlar, Neapolitan (Cratcegus azarolus), a bush or small 

 tree of the Apple family (Pomacete), native of Southern Europe 

 and Palestine. The fruit is pulpy and somewhat acid, and 

 frequently forms a table-fruit. 



Melegueta Pepper. {See Grains of Paradise.) 



Melilot {Melilotus officinalis), a clover-like annual or bi- 

 ennial of the Bean family (Leguminosce), widely cultivated 

 throughout Europe and Western Asia as food for cattle. In 

 Switzerland the leaves are made into powder, which is used for 

 flavouring Chapziger cheese, {^ee also Coumarin.) 



Melon {Cucumis Melo); a tendril climbing or trailing annual 

 of the Gourd family (Cucurbitace?e). Its well-known fruit is of 

 ancient fame, having been cultivated in Egypt in the time of 

 Moses, and is now a favourite in most warm countries. There 

 are many varieties ; the finest are said to be the melons of Bok- 

 hara. It is supposed to have been first introduced from Egypt 

 to Rome, from thence to France in 1495, and afterwards to 

 England, where it is too tender for open air, but is successfully 

 cultivated under glass. 



Melon Thistle, the name early given to Mdocactus communis, 

 one of the Cactus family (Cactacese), native of the coasts of 

 most of the West Indian islands and some parts of the American 

 continent, growing on rocks and barren places. The plant con- 

 sists of a globose, somewhat conical, succulent fleshy stem, a foot 

 or more in diameter, and 1| feet high, with twelve to twenty 

 prominent ridges bearing at regular distances tufts of strong 



