314 CUCURBITACE/E. [Diclinous Exogens. 



similar case, where symptoms of cholera were induced hy eating the bitter pulp. 

 The fruit of many of the species of Cucumis, the genus to which the Melon and Cucum- 

 ber belong, are powerfully cathartic ; among these C. Hardwickii and C. pseudo- 

 colocynthis may be enumerated as the chief ; but even the Cucumbers, especially the 

 less highly cultivated varieties of India, are sometimes known to prove strongly aperient 

 in susceptible constitutions. C. Colocynthis (now Citrullus)., the source of the dru<* 

 Colocynth, affords one of the most valuable medicinal agents derived from the Order. 

 The Melon, C. Melo, and C. utilissimus, so far as I have been able to learn, is free 

 from it. The fruit of some species of Luffa is violently cathartic, such as L. amara 

 and L. Bindaal of Roxburgh, and the Brazilian Luffas' purgans and drastica mentioned 

 by Martius ; yet, those of L. acutangula (Cucumis acutangulus, Ainslie) are a favourite 

 potherb of the natives of India, and are esteemed very wholesome. Some of the species 

 of Bryonia, especially B. alba and B. dioica, partake of the cathartic properties of the 

 family in great intensity. Curiously enough, the juice of their root is strongly cathartic, 

 and is often employed as such, while the young shoots are so free from the propertv, 

 that they are used as potherbs, and are reported to resemble Asparagus in flavour. 

 The purgative properties of Bryony root have been long known, and in the opinion of 

 some modern writers have fallen into unmerited neglect, they being fully equal in power, 

 even when dried and powdered, to Jalap, and when recent much more so. Bryonia 

 americana and africana are said to have similar properties. Yet the root of B. abrssi- 

 nica, wheu cooked, is said to be eaten without danger. The root of Bryonia epigtea 

 was once supposed to be the famous Calumba ; (see Menispermaceje). Nearly allied to 

 these plants appear to be various species of little known genera, Trianospernia, Wil- 

 brandia, and Cayaponia, Brazilian drastics of great energy. Trianosperma ficifolia, 

 indeed (Bryonia ficifolia, Lam.) is a species of great reputation for its activity as a 

 purgative and purifier of the blood. But of all those yet mentioned, none approach 

 the spirting Cucumber, Ecbalium agreste (Momordica Elaterium, L., ainvs aypios), 

 in the concentrated virulence of this quality. It is a native of the hotter parts of 

 Europe, and remarkable for the force with which its poisonous pulp is suddenly expelled 

 from the interior of the fruit, when it is quite ripe and the stalk is loosened. * An inge- 

 nious explanation of this curious phenomenon has been given by Dutrochet in his 

 Nouvelles Recherclies sur V Endosmose. A few grains of Elaterium, a drug prepared from 

 the pulp of this plant, have been known occasionally to bring on symptoms of poisoning ; 

 a case is recorded by Dr. Christison, where a person, after carrying a specimen in his 

 hat, was attacked with headache, succeeded by colic pains and frequent bilious vomit- 

 ing and purging. Such being the predominant quality of the family, it is well to be 

 cautious in the use of even the best known species. 



Many, however, are in use as potherbs, among which may be mentioned with just 

 encomiums the red Gourd, Cucurbita maxima, the flesh of which, when boiled, some- 

 what resembles in taste a tender Carrot ; the Water Melon, Cucurbita citrullus, so highly 

 esteemed for the cool refreshing juice of its large fruit ; the white Gourd (Benincasa 

 cerifera, or Cucurbita pepo), which Ainslie informs us is presented at every native 

 marriage feast, being supposed to insure prosperity to the wedded pair ; the Vegetable 

 Marrow (Cucurbita ovifera), justly esteemed one of our finest culinary vegetables, and a 

 few others. All the numerous cultivated varieties of the Melon and Cucumber are 

 known to be wholesome. Some, if not all the Indian species of Momordica, seem 

 equally safe. M. Balsamina, a species with a singular warted fruit, and M. Charantia, 

 when steeped in oil, have some reputation as vulneraries. In a green state they form 

 an agreeable pickle. It should be observed, however, that the fruit of a plant called 

 Neurosperma cuspidata by Rafinesque, which is generally supposed to be Momordica 

 Balsamina, is, according to that author, a dangerous poison, or in small doses a hydra- 

 gogue. Momordica operculata, a plant common in the southern provinces of Brazil, 

 quite answers to the character given of this Neurosperma, so far as its drastic qualities go. 



A waxy substance is secreted by the surface of the fruit of Beuineasa cerifera. 

 The fruit of several species of Trichosanthes, especially that of T. anguina, are in 

 daily use in India, even among Europeans, dressed in curries ; but those of T. palmate 

 are not employed, and are considered poisonous by the natives. Those of Coccinia 

 indica (Momordica monadclpha, Ilu.ch.), so common in every Indian hedge, are eaten by 

 the natives in their curries, and when fully ripe (quite red and pulpy) seem to afford 

 a favourite repast to many birds. 



The seeds of all the species are oily, and capable of forming very readily an emulsion ; 

 those of Telfairia pedata (Joliffia africana, B.C.), an African plant, are as large as 

 Chestnuts, and said to be as excellent as Almonds, having a very agreeable flavour ; 

 when pressed they yield an abundance of oil, equal to that of the finest Olives. The 

 pulp is excessively bitter, and produced a violent headache when only applied to the 

 tongue. De Candolle remarks, that the seeds of this family never participate in the 



