oil and are largely eaten parched ; considered cooling, diuretic and 

 strengthening. Saccharine matter of the fruit cannot be profitably 

 converted into sugar. Juice refuses to be turned into vinegar, etc. 



VIII : A precarious crop ; particularly early sowings require pro- 

 tection from the North winds. 



A light sandy loam warm but not too dry is its delight with 

 only a medium of Nitrogen as a surplus of it, chiefly when accompa- 

 nied by much water, may and generally does, produce larger melons, 

 but at the expense of quality. They will prove soft, watery and insipid 

 and with a small percentage of sugar. Preparation of the land tho- 

 rough but not necessarily deep. On River banks the crop is raised 

 without any preparation at all and no water. On land under perennial 

 irrigation the land is prepared and the crop watered. The flat dead sound 

 emitted by a melon when thumbed is a sign of ripeness, also 

 when it easily detaches itself from the stalk. If the resonance is 

 hollow, ringing or musical, it is a certain proof of immaturity. No 

 need to soak the seed in water (Land under canal irrigation) About 

 22 1)2 kadahs of seed per fdn. 



Citrullus Colocynthis : Handal ; Colocynth ; Cucurbitaceae. 



Chiefly grown in the desert, often wild and generally imported by 

 the Arabs from the Sinai'c peninsula. 



II : By seed ; in holes 1 in. apart between the rows and 1)2 in. 

 between the holes 3 seeds thinned to 2 for each hole soak the 

 seed in water for about 24 hrs. when to be grown on River banks. 



III : During March. 



V : June, about 3 1/2 months after planting. 



VII : The fruit which is about the size of an orange, contains an 

 extremely bitter principle (Colocynthin). which is a violent purga- 

 tive. It is considered as a hydragogue cathartic, useful in constipation, 

 hepatic and visceral congestions, dropsical affections and other cases 

 requiring drastic purgatives. Considered by natives to remove phlegm 

 from all parts of the system. The powdered fruit alone or mixed with 

 an equal amount of black pepper, is used to prevent cloth from the 

 attacks of the Cloth-moth (Aetta). 



VIII : Same as Water melon. 



