364 THE VEGETABLE WORLD. 
where they soon become fleshy. The fruit is a smooth or warted 
fleshy berry. The seeds are oval, more or less compressed, and 
containing a straight embryo destitute of albumen. 
The Cucumis are herbs with simple alternate leaves, each having 
a lateral tendril. The Melon is an annual Cucumis, cordate at the 
base, sometimes reniform, sometimes three, five, or seven lobed, 
with a rounded sinus. Its fruit, which varies very much in shape, 
generally encloses a sweet fleshy substance, and many are without 
prickles. It is principally upon the modifications of the fruit 
that the classification of the Melons into several tribes has been 
adopted. They are again sub-divided into secondary groups, of 
which we will give a rapid glance. 
The Cantaloupe Melons form a group rather characteristic. In 
the principal varieties, the fruit is of large dimensions, varying 
in shape from that of a very depressed sphere to an ovoid oblong, 
more or less prominent, with smooth or warty skin. The flesh of 
the Melon, properly speaking, is thick, of a reddish orange colour, 
delicate, melting, and succulent. All these Melons turn yellow 
when ripening, and then exhale an agreeable odour. 
Another group is that of the Ribbed Melon, which comprises the 
Market Melon, and some others cultivated largely in the gardens 
round London and Paris. 
The Sugary Melons are ranked in the third class. Their flesh 
is white or greenish, with a sweeter and more penetrating perfume 
than the Cantaloupes ; they are also delicate, melting, and sugary: 
The Winter Melons form a fourth group, of which the finest 
European representative is the Winter Melon of Provence, OF 
Cavailon Melon. The skin of this variety is thin, and its - 
very thick and firm, and of a white, pale, yellowish-green colour ; 
according to the variety, without perfume, but melting and very 
sweet. It is highly esteemed in the South of France‘and Europ’ 
where it is cultivated on a large scale. This excellent frul 
absolutely encumbers the markets of the South of France during 
a great part of the summer and autumn. It is also being intro- 
duced into Paris. But we must pause in our enumeration of these 
alimentary fruits, or we should pass the limits of this work. oe 
Another species of the Cucumis tribe is the tribe of —_ . 
(Cucumis sativa), the young fruits of which, preserved 10 vinegat, : 
