GOURD -CUCURBITA. 



In Botany, ef the Mon&cia Syngcnesia Class. 

 Natural Order, Cucurbit acece. 



THE plants of this genus are very nearly 

 allied to those of cucumis, and of them 

 there is a great variety. 



Gourds were more esteemed by the an- 

 cients, than either melons or cucumbers. 

 Pliny has minutely described them as dif- 

 ferent from the pompion or cucumber. He 

 says, " they are employed for more purposes, 

 and are more useful than the former fruit 

 When properly dressed/' he says, " they are 

 a light, mild, and wholesome food. The 

 young and tender stalks/' he states, " were 

 dressed and served up to table as a good 

 dish ; and the fruit of those that climbed 

 up trees, or walls, or on the frames of ar- 

 bours, were better food than those which 

 crept on the ground. They have of late/' 



