CUCURBITACE^: 413 



introduced before the Kumara, and was said to have been cultivated 

 by the Toi tribes prior to the arrival of the Arawa and other 

 canoes. This would place its introduction at a distance of from 24 

 to 30 generations, that is from 600 to 750 years ago. The species 

 is cultivated everywhere throughout Polynesia at the present time, 

 and though it is being displaced by many European varieties of 

 pumpkins, marrows and gourds it is still found in numerous native 

 cultivations. Several varieties of it were grown. 



According to Taylor the natives used to wrap the seeds in wet 

 rags and suspend them near the fire to hasten their germination. 



Citrullus vulgaris, Schrad. Water-melon 



The first mention of this plant which I can find is by R. A. Cruise 

 in 1820, who says that "they were raised with great success while 

 we were in the country, and the people promised to save the seeds, 

 and sow them." They were probably introduced by the missionaries 

 shortly before that date. In 1828 the mate of the brig 'Hawes' 

 found water-melons in native cultivations at Tauranga. Polack reports 

 it as occurring in gardens in 1831-37. It was recorded as a garden 

 escape by Kirk in 1869 in the Auckland Province, but he adds: "it 

 can hardly be said to hold its ground." In 1882 Cheeseman says: 

 "often of spontaneous (?) origin about Maori cultivations, but has 

 never permanently established itself." And again in the Manual (1906) 

 he states that it "occasionally lingers in old Maori cultivations, but 

 scarcely naturalised." 



Cucurbita Pepo, Linn. Pumpkin 



In 1820 Bellingshausen gave the natives of Motuara seeds of this 

 species. Polack in the far north in 1 837 ; and Dieffenbach when visiting 

 New Plymouth in 1839, found pumpkins in native cultivations. 



Cucurbita ovifera. Vegetable Marrow 

 This was recorded by Polack as cultivated in gardens in 1837. 



Cucumis sativus, Linn. Cucumber 



Also recorded by Polack (1831-37) as cultivated in gardens in 

 the far north. 



None of these three species appear to have even survived as garden 

 escapes. All were probably introduced by the missionaries. 



