300 * The Natural System of Botany. 



Order, Cucurbit ace m — The Gourd Tribe. 



This order is a small one, but it contains many plants of 

 great use to man, such as the different varieties of Melon, Cu- 

 cumber, Pumpkin, Squash, &c. With the Passion-flowers 

 this order is in near affinity. All its members have twining 

 stems, with tendrils ; their calyx is petaloid ; their stamens are 

 united into a column ; the structure of the ovary is similar; the 

 fruit is succulent. In these points they approach very near the 

 last order, but in others they are essentially different. The 

 Cucumber, for example, has no petals ; its flowers are monoe- 

 cious ; the beautiful rays of the Passion-flower are entirely 

 wanting. In some others of the Gourd tribe the flowers are 

 dioseeious. The stamens are five, as are the other parts of the 

 flower. 



The whole tribe possesses a bitter, purgative principle, 

 which, though not much apparent in the fruits commonly eaten, 

 in several other species is powerful, and even deleterious. The 

 drug called Colocynth is obtained from a kind of Gourd which 

 grows in various parts of the East ; and from the Squirting 

 Cucumber (Momordica Elaterium) a preparation has been 

 made, a few grains of which will destroy life. From some of 

 the Gourds are formed very useful vessels for various purposes. 

 The Calabashes of the East and West Indies, are often capable 

 of holding a large quantity of water, being sometimes six feet 

 in length, by nearly two feet in circumference. Some of the 

 fruits of which they are made contain so large a portion of the 

 bitter principle as to make great care necessary in eradicating 

 it. The whole pulp is carefully scooped out, and the shell 

 filled with water, which is often changed, before it is safe to 

 use it. 



Order, Crassulace.*: — The House LeeJc Tribe. 



The plants of this order are remarkable for their succulent 

 stems and leaves, and for their capability of existing in situa- 

 tions where few other plants can live. They are found in the 

 thinnest and scantiest soil, even on the roofs of old houses, and 

 the shingles of barren rocks. Several of the species of Semper- 



