494 LOASACRffi — CUCUEBITACEA 



cucuUate, epigynous, alternate with, the segments of the calyx, some- 

 times with an inner row of 5, which are either similar to the outer 

 or dissimilar ; aestivation inflexed, valvate, or twisted. Stamens ao , in 

 several rows, distinct, or polyadelphous, each parcel being opposite the 

 outer petals ; filaments subulate, unequal, the outer ones often sterile. 

 Ovary inferior, 1 -celled, with parietal placentas ; ovules anatropal ; 

 styles combined into 1 ; stigma 1 or several. Fruit capsular or suc- 

 culent, 1-celled. Seeds without an arillus ; embryo straight, in the 

 axis of fleshy albumen ; cotyledons small, flat ; embryo pointing to the 

 hUum. — Herbaceous plants, hispid with stinging hairs, having oppo- 

 site or alternate exstipulate leaves, and axillary 1-flowered peduncles. 

 They are American plants, chiefly distinguished for their stinging 

 qualities, and hence the name of Chili-Nettle. The roots of Mmtzelia 

 hispida, a Mexican herb, are said to possess purgative qualities. There 

 are 10 genera enumerated by authors, including 100 species. Ex- 

 amples — Loasa, Mentzelia, Blumenbachia. 



Order 78. — Oucuebitace^, the Cucumber Family. {Polypet. or 

 Monopet. Epigyn. and Didines.) Calyx 5-toothed (figs. 430 I, p. 245j 

 713 c), sometimes obsolete. Petals 5, distinct, or more or less 

 imited, sometimes scarcely distinguishable from the calyx, strongly 

 marked with reticulated veins (fig. 430 p, p. 245), sometimes fringed. 

 Stamens 5, distinct or united in one or three parcels, attached to 

 the petals (fig. 713 e), anthers bilocular, sinuous (figs. 364, p. 

 223; 714 a; 389, p. 230), ovary (figs. 430 o, p. 245; 715 co), 

 adhering to the tube of the calyx, 1-celled, formed by 3 car- 

 pels, and having 3 parietal placentas (fig. 716, p. 495), which some- 

 times project so as to join in the centre, the ovules remaining attached 

 to the curved free edges; ovules solitary or indefinite (fig. 716), 

 anatropal ; styles short ; stigmas very thick, velvety or fringed (fig. 

 715 s). Fruit a pepo (p. 314). Seeds flat and ovate (fig. 717), 

 enveloped in a juicy or dry and membranous covering; testa 

 coriaceous; albumen 0; embryo straight (figs. 717, e; 718); 

 cotyledons leafy and veined; radicle next the hUum, — Herbaceous 

 plants, with succulent stems, climbing by means of lateral tendrils, 

 which are transformed stipules ; leaves alternate and palmate, covered 

 with asperities ; flowers generally unisexual. They are natives of warm 

 climates chiefly, and abound Jn India. A few are found towards the 

 north, in Europe and Korth America, and several are natives of the 

 Cape of Good Hope. Those which are annuals readily submit to the 

 climate of northern latitudes during the summer, and thus, though of 

 tropical origin, they grow well in European gardens. There are nearly 

 70 known genera and about 470 species. Examples — Cucurbita, 

 , Cucumis, Momordica, Bryonia, Telfairia, FevOlea. 



A certain degree of acridity pervades the order, and many of the 

 plants are drastic purgatives. In some cases, however, more espe- 



