cue 



cue 



other (Fig.), are variously used to 

 crush corn, corn cobs, and roots. 



CRUSTACEANS (from crusta, a 

 hard covering). A tribe of animals 

 like crabs, lobsters, &c., with a crust, 

 and destitute of vertebrae. The crust 

 contains fourteen per cent, of phos- 

 phate of lime; the rest, carbonate of 

 lime and animal matter. 



CRYPTOGAMIA (from Kpvnroc, 

 concealed, and ya/ioc, marriage). An 

 immense tribe of plants, which have 

 no flowers or apparent sexual organs, 

 but produce sporules or minute seeds 

 in cases on their sides, backs, or on 

 stalks. Ferns, mosses, fungi, sea- 

 weeds, lichens, and the minute para- 

 sites which infest plants and dead 

 wood, as rust, mildew, rubigo, &c., 

 are of this tribe. 



CRYSTAL (from KpyaralXo^, ice). 

 Any transparent solid with a natural 

 and regular geometrical figure. 



CRYSTALLINE LENS. The 

 lens of the eye, which refracts light, 

 so as to prodnce clear vision. It is 

 situated internally, behind the aque- 

 ous humour. 



CUCUMBER. Cucumis sativus. 

 A pleasant but indigestible edible. 

 The varieties are numerous, but the 

 early frame, early green cluster, long 

 prickly, and long green are most cul- 

 tivated. The West Indian gherkin 

 is another species. 

 214 



As the cucumber grows so freely 

 in the United States, the process of 

 forcing is much more attended to for 

 early supplies than m Europe. 



Forcing. — Begin ten weeks before 

 the fruit is wanted. The short prick- 

 ly, long green, and white-spined are 

 preferred. Seed should be two or 

 three years old. Sow in pots placed 

 over a warm bed. Water with tepid 

 water, and take care that chilled air 

 does not enter the frame. When the 

 second leaves are expanded, trans- 

 plant into larger pots ; place three 

 together. Carry, when one month 

 old, to the fruiting-bed. The fruiting- 

 bed is made on a dry spot, with fresh 

 dung, well turned and forked, and 

 four feet high. As soon as the bed 

 is settled, and in regular fermenta- 

 tion, add si.x inches of fine mould, 

 and if it remains mellow it will an- 

 swer, but if fire-fanged or caked, 

 more will be necessary. Hill the 

 mould to within eight inches of the 

 glass frame, and set three plants from 

 the pots in it, transplanting with the 

 ball of earth : these are enough for 

 one frame. Water with warmed wa- 

 ter, and darken until they are well 

 rooted. The temperature is kept 

 from 70° to 80° Fahrenheit, the steam 

 being allowed to escape when it rises. 

 As the heat lessens, add fresh dung 

 i outside, cutting away the old. Form 



