CUCURBITACE.E. 55 



the alimentary canal. This intensity of power is, however, of rare occur- 

 rence, though the property is found more or less active in every part of the 

 plants, mildly in the roots of some, and the leaves and young shoots of 

 others, but in greatest intensity in tlie pulp surrounding the seed. The 

 seeds themselves do not partake of this property, being nearly all mild and 

 oily. There is reason to believe that some at least, if not all of the edible 

 sorts, owe their freedom from this property to cultivation, as some of them 

 in their wild state are found to possess it in great intensity. The fruit of 

 many of the species of Cucumis, are powerfully cathartic, among which C. 

 Hardwickii and Pseudo-Colocynthis, Royl., may be mentioned as the chief 

 ones, but even the common Cucumber, especially the less highly cultivated 

 varieties of this country, are sometimes known to prove strongly aperient 

 in susceptible constitutions. But of all those yet mentioned, none approach 

 the Elaterium (Spirting Cucumber) in the concentrated virulence of this 

 quality, a few grains of the pulp being known occasionally to bring on 

 symptoms of poisoning. Notwithstanding these drawbacks this is certainly 

 a most useful family of plants, owing to the great size of their fruit, and 

 the large quantity of nutritious matter which the edible sorts afford, and 

 which on that account are extensively cultivated in every part of India. 

 Those unfit for food, supply many useful medicines ; but even the best 

 known ought to be used cautiously when not ameliorated in their qualities 

 by cultivation." Wight, ill. 2, p. 26-27. 

 Karivia, Am. ( Wight, ill. 2, p. 30.) 



1. umbellata, Am. (t. c. — Bryonia umbellata, Klein; — DC. pr. 3, p. 

 305;— IF. and A. pr. 1, p. 345 ;— J. Grah. Cat. B. pi. p. 78.— 

 Momordica umbellata, 7?oa;6. ^. mrf. 3, p. 710; — Rheed. 8, t. 26.) 

 ?t^t«1>l*l1 Rakhalsusa. l/>^ Both Peninsulas of India, Bengal. 

 (Serampore,) Khassya Mountains, Sirmore. Fl. small yellowish, 

 R. and C. S ; fr. C. S. The ripe and unripe fruit, as well as the 

 boiled roots eaten by the Natives. 

 MuKiA, Am. {Wight, ill. 2, p. 30.) 



1. scabrella. Am. {Wight. I. c. — Bryonia scabrella, L. ; — DC. pr. Z,p. 

 306 ,— W. and A. pr. 1, p. 345 ;— Wight, icon. 2. p. 501 v—Roxh.fl. 

 ind. Z, p. 724;— J. Grah. Cat. B. pi. p. 78;— Rheed. 8, t. 13.) 

 ■^t^t^rf^ Agumuki. 2/..v^ Both Peninsulas of India, Bengal, (Se- 

 rampore,) interior of the mountains of N. India. Fl. small, yellow- 

 ish ; and fr. throughout the year. 

 Bryonia, L. {Wight, ill. 2, p. 30 ; from Schrader.) 



1. laciniosa, L. {DC. pr. 3, p. 308 ;—W. and A. pr. 1, p. 345 ;—Roxb. 

 fl. ind. 3, p. 728;— Wight, icon. 2, t. 500 ;— 7. Grah. Cat. B.pl.p. 

 78 ;— Rheed. 8, t. 19) TtcTl Mala. %. v^ Peninsula of India. Goal- 

 para, Bengal, (Serampore,) Deyra Dhoon, Cashmere. Fl. small, 

 yellowish-green ; and fr. throughout the year. 

 CiTRULLUs, Schrad. {Wight, ill. 2, p. 30.) 



1. Cucurbita, Schrad. (Cucurbita Citrullus. L. ; — W. and A. pr. I, p. 



