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MELON. MELO. CUCUMIS. 



Natural order, Cucurbitacea. A genus of the Monacia 

 Syngenesia class. 



THE melon most esteemed in every part of Europe, is 

 the Cantaleupe> which takes its name from a town so 

 called, about fifteen miles from Rome, where it has been 

 cultivated since the Mithridatic war, being one of the 

 fruits brought from Armenia, by Lucullus. It grows, 

 says Miller, in that part of Armenia which borders on 

 Persia, in such plenty, that a horse-load is sold for a 

 French crown. The flesh of this melon, when in per- 

 fection, is delicious, and does not offend the most tender 

 stomach, but may be eaten with safety : its outer coat is 

 full of knobs and protuberances ; it is of a middle size, 

 rather round than long: that with an orange-coloured 

 flesh is the best. 



The Musk Melon appears to be a native of Tartary, 

 where it is found growing wild ; these and the water melon, 

 form a principal part of the food of the Nayay Tartars. 

 It has lately been found in great abundance on the sandy 

 plains in the neighbourhood of Jeypoor. This kind of 

 melon has long been cultivated in Italy, from whence we 

 conclude it was brought to England, as it was first in- 

 troduced into this country in the year 1520 : and from 

 Gerard's account it appears to have been nearly confined 

 to the Royal Gardens : he had not grown it himself, but 

 says, "They delight in hot regions, notwithstanding I 

 have seen, at the Queen's house at St. James's, very 



