VEGETABLES AXD FOOD PRODUCTS 213 



Benincasa cerifera. Ash Pumpkin, or White Gourd ; " Alu- 

 puhul"S; Puchini " or "Pusanikai" T. A large handsome oval- 

 shaped gourd, grown throughout the Eastern tropics, China, Japan, 

 etc. The fruit is covered with a whitish waxen bloom (hence its 

 popular names), and is used as a vegetable in curries, etc., also 

 candied as a sweetmeat. The plant is an annual, with large 

 angular leaves, and may often be seen growing over the roofs of 

 Natives' houses. In India the fruit is said not to be so liable to 

 be stolen as those of other gourds, owing to certain religious 

 superstitions connected with it. Seed may be sown in the rainy 

 season, and the vegetable should be lit for use about three months 

 later. The plant will thrive in sheltered valleys up to about 3,000 

 or 4.000 feet. 



Citrullus vulgaris. Water-melon ; "Komadu" S. (See under 

 Tropical Fruits.) 



Cucumis Melo. Melon; " Rata-komadu " or "Kekiri" S. 

 (See under Tropical Fruits.) 



Cucumis sativus, var. Native Cucumber; "Pipingha" S.; 

 " Pipingkai " T. A thick cylindrical, smooth fruit, 10 to 15 inches 

 long and about 3 to 4 inches in transverse diameter, usually with a 

 brownish yellow thin skin when full-grown. The flowers are yellow, 

 about 2 inches across. The fruit is either cooked and used as a 

 vegetable or, peeled and sliced, in salads, being an excellent 

 substitute for the English Cucumber, of which it is considered to be 

 but a form. It is cultivated chiefly in the semi-dry districts for 

 supplying the local markets and boutiques. Sow seed in ridges or 

 mounds of rich soil. The vines may either be supported on 

 trellis-work, or allowed to trail over the ground. 



Cucumis sativus, var. " Tee-ambara " S. A variety similar 

 to Pipingha, but with smaller fruits, these -varying in length from 

 6 to 8 inches, with a transverse diameter of about 2 inches. 

 Flowers yellow, about 1 inch across. The fruit of this variety, 

 being of a tougher texture than the preceding one, is only used 

 in curries, not in salads. 



Cucurbita maxima. Pumpkin ; "Wataka" or "Rata-labu" S. 

 A large globular, bluntly-ribbed, brownish gourd, very commonly 

 cultivated by the Natives in the low-country of Ceylon, especially 

 in the rather dry districts of Kurunegala, Dumbara, etc. It 

 is everywhere sold in the markets and boutiques, either whole 

 or in sections, and though rather insipid is one of the best of 

 " native " vegetables. During the detention of the Boer prisoners 



