| 138 
The Natural Hiftory of the Book V. 
The large GourD VINE; Lat. CucurRBITA. 
ys Vine is long and trailing, of a multangular Shape, and very 
hairy. 
The Dees which are large, and almoft circular, are covered with 
foft Vill, or Hairs. 
Thefe Leaves fmell ftrongly of Musk. 
The Flowers, which ftand upon Footftalks Six Inches in Length, are 
monopetalous, divided into Five deep Sections, and of a dirty-white Colour. 
‘ 'Thefe are inclofed in a fmall hairy Calyx, divided alfo into Five 
Seétions ; and are fo tender, that they are clofed up as foon as the Sun 
fhines upon them. 
When thefe Flowers drop, they are fucceeded by the Fruit, which 
grows fomething Pear-like in Shape. 
* The outfide Tegument, as it ripens, grows hard, fomething refembling 
a Nut-fhell, but fofter. The Infide is of a foft white Subftance, intermixed 
with flattifh Seeds, like thofe of Melons. 
Some of the largeft Species of thefe Gourds are capable, when 
cleared of their Pith, to contain Twenty-two Gallons : However, fuch 
are very uncommon. 
The largeft of thefe that I faw, was at Mr. Richard Fackman’s, in St, 
Peter’s Parith. 
The fall Gourn; Lat. CovocynTuis. 
HIS Vine is round, foft, and hairy, provided with numerousClafp- 
ers. With thefe they cling to the neighbouring Buthes. 
The Leaves are large, and of almoft a circular round Shape, ftanding 
upon Footftalks, Four Inches in Length. 
Thefe are fet on alternately ; the Flowers, which are white, and com- 
pofed of Five white Petals, furrounding feveral Stamina. 
Thefe are fucceeded by the Gourd, which is yellow, when ripe. 
The fhelly or husky Outfide inclofes a white bitter Pulp, interfperfed 
with whitifh flat Seeds. 
An Hole being made in one of thefe ripe Gourds, if a Glafs of 
Rum be poured in, and fuffered to remain there for Twenty-four Hours, 
and then drunk, it proves a fuccefsful Purge ; but is fo bitter, and leaves 
fuch a Vaufea behind, that it is feldom ufed. 
The Sweet Gourp. 
we TS Gourd differs from the laft defcribed, by its very great Length 
and Narrownefs ; being often above Two Feet long, and about 
Six Inches in Circumference. 
It differs likewife from all others, by its Pulp being rather {weet than 
bitter. When 
