PUMPKINS AND SQUASHES 



295 



LVI. PUMPKINS AND SQUASHES 



350. Squash flowers are shown in Figs. 161 and 

 162. The flowers are monoecious. The ovary is 

 inferior to the calyx -lobes. The cucumber and 

 gherkin (Figs. 163 and 164) belong to the same 

 family ; and so do the 

 melons " and gourds. The 

 passion-flowers are close 

 of kin. 



' 351. When the fruits 

 of squashes, melons and 

 the like , are very small, 

 the seeds are seen to be 

 borne upon three parietal 

 placentae; but these pla- 

 centae sometimes merge, or, 

 in the watermelon, they 

 may break away from the 

 wall and appear as if axile. 

 The pupil will surely recall 

 the "core" of the water- 

 melon. In some of the 

 cucurbitous plants, these 

 placentae may be discerned 

 when the fruits are ripe. pig. 301. 



They can be seen at N N N Fruit of the may-pop. 



