108 



CASE Passion Flower Order {Passifloreae). A group of 

 57. twining herbs or shrubs, natives chiefly of South 

 America. Some of the species produce edible fruits, as 

 the Granadillas {Passiflora quadrangulm^is^ L., and 

 P. macrocarpa. Mast.), Sweet Cup or Pomme d'or 

 (P. maliformiSy L.), also Bell Apple [P. laurifolia, L.), 

 natives of Tropical America and the West Indies. These 

 fruits, of which examples are shown, may occasionally be 

 seen in Oovent Garden Market. 



No. 283. Papaw, fruit of Carica Papaya^ L. Though 

 now Avidely scattered in the tropics, it is believed to have 

 originated from the warm part of the American continent. 

 In cultivated plants the fruits are V ins. to 15 ins. long, 

 pear or melon- shaped, and are eateji by all classes in the 

 tropics, and may occasionally be bought in this country. 

 The milky juice has the property of rendering meat 

 tender ; it also yields Papain, a vegetable pepsin widely 

 employed in the treatment of dyspepsia, &c. Note also 

 fruits of C. candamarcensis, Hook, f., cultivated in 

 Ecuador, up to an altitude of 9,000 feet. The fruit is 

 described as possessing a delicious scent and grateful 

 taste. 



Gourd Order {Cucurbitaceae). A group of prostrate 

 or climbing plants wdth palmately-lobed leaves and 

 tendrils, — chiefly tropical, with but few species extending 

 Into cool regions. Cucumber {Cucumis sativus, L.) and 

 Melon (0. Melo, L ) belong to the Order. Many of the 

 species are acrid and purgative. 



Observe on the lower shelves fruits and seeds of 

 Hodgsonia heteroclita. Hook. f. and T., a large clim.ber of 

 India, Burma, and Malaya. Also the large acutely ribbed 

 fruit of Telfairia occidentalism Hook, f ., a native of tropical 

 Africa, cultivated for the seeds which are boiled and 

 eaten. Fruit and seeds of 2\ pedata^ Hook., from East 

 Africa are also shown. The seeds are covered with a 

 fibrous network, and the kernels yield oil ; they are also 

 boiled and eaten by negroes. 



Observe the variety in form of the fruit of various 

 species of gourd here exhibited, especially the snake 

 gourd {^Trichosanthes anguinct, L.). 



