FORESTRY OF WEST AFRICA. 359 



— Climbing herb. This plant is famous in Syria for 

 curing wounds. The unripe fruit is cut open, infused 

 in sweet oil, and exposed to the sun until it becomes 

 red ; it is then applied to fresh wounds on cotton. 

 The Syrians esteem this next to Balsam of Mecca. — 

 ' History of the Dichlamydeous Plants,' Don, vol. iii., 

 p. 35, &c. 



Distribution : Upper Guinea, Nile Land. 



Cucumber {Cuciimis sativus, L.). — The well-known 

 fruits of this plant are largely used as a salad, and in 

 a young state, when they are known as gherkins, are 

 preserved in vinegar. In India a pale bland oil is 

 obtained from the seeds by expression, and is used in 

 cookery, and for burning in lamps ; the seeds are also 

 used in confectionery. — ' Treasury of Botany,' Lindley 

 and j\Ioore ; ' Oil-seeds and Oils in the India Museum,' 

 Cooke, p. 40. 



Distribution : Cultivated in Tropical Africa. 



Chate of Egypt {Ciicumis dipsaceus, Ehrenb.). — 

 Annual. Fniit eaten in Egypt by grandees and 

 Europeans. — ' History of the Dichlamydeous Plants,' 

 Don, vol. iii., p. 27. 



Distribution : Upper Guinea, Nile Land. 



Ctwumis Proplietarmn, L.— Annual. Fruits ex- 

 tremely bitter, equalling that of the Colocynth. Under 

 the name of Kirbut they are sold in a dried state in 

 the markets of Sind for use as an emetic, and in small 



