CUCURBITAGE^. 



495 



cially under cultivation, the fruits are eatable. Instances of edible 

 fruits are seen in Cucumis Melo, common Melons • DTI^D^S 

 Abbattiehim of Scripture; Cucumis sativus, Cucumbers, DiKCp^ 

 Kishuim, of the Bible ; CucurUta Citrullus, Water Melon ; Oucwrbita 

 Pepo, White Gourd ; CucurUta maxima, the Pumpkin ; CucurUta 

 Melo-pepo^ the Squash; CucurUta ovifera, the Egg-gourd. The 

 genus Cucumis contains the Melon and Cucuinber, with edible fruits, 



Fig. 716. 



Kg. in. 



Fig. 718. 



and the Colocynth, with purgative fruit. Much discussion has taken 

 place in regard to the structure of the fruit in this genus, and in 

 Cucurbitacese in general. Some have considered it an anomaly in vege- 

 table structure, from the apparent formation of the placenta and ven- 

 tral suture, externally, as if the usual position of the carpels were 

 reversed. It would appear, however, as shown by Lindley, that the 

 placentas follow the ordinary law. They are parietal, and curve in a 



Figs. 713-718. Organs of fractifloation of CuourbitaoeDe. Fig. 713. Male flower of 

 Cucumis sativus. Common Cucumber, laid open to show the interior of it. c, 5-divided 

 calyx, p, United petals, by some considered as being an internal coloured calyx, e, Epi- 

 gynous stamens. Fig. 714. Stamen separated. /, Filament, a. Long sinuous anther. 

 Fig. 715. Female flower. a>. Calyx attached to the ovary, p. United petals, s. Thick 

 velvety stigmas. Fig. 716. Horizontal section of the ovary, showing its division into 

 three, by proj ections from the parietal placentas, to which the indefinite ovules are attached. 

 Fig. 717. Anatropal seed out vertically. (, Spermoderm swollen at the chalaza, a e. Em- 

 bryo. Fig. 718. Embryo separated. •/•, Badicle. c. Cotyledons. 



