CUCURBIT ACEifS. 133 



HAB. Cultivated. 



F L. After the May and October ra ns. 



The Musk-iMelon thrives best in dry districts, and in a 

 good soil. In such situations it comes to great perfection, 

 requiring very little cultivation. It is supposed to have 

 been originally a native of Asia, and to have been culti- 

 vated from time immemorial. 



The flesh of the Melon, when ripe, and of a good des- 

 cription, is cooling and refreshing, and promotes the eva- 

 cuations. The pulp is applied externally as a cooling 

 application to inflamed surfaces. There are some, 

 whose digestion is impaired, with whom this fruit does 

 not agree. They find it heavy, indigestible, and occa- 

 sionally apt to excite fever. This is owing either to 

 a peculiar idiosyncrasy, or to the bad quality of the fruit. 

 It usually proves grateful to the taste, and easily digested. 

 To obviate the apprehended bad effects, some eat the fruit 

 with salt : whereas others sprinkle it with sugar, thus 

 giving " sweets to the sweet." I may add that an emul- 

 sion may be prepared from the recent seeds, which is 

 considered to be soothing and pectoral. 



2. Cucumis sativus. Cucumber. 



Stem scabrous cirrhiferous, leaves cordate ob- 

 scurely 5-lobed, flowers shortly peduncled sub- 

 ternate rather large, tube of the calyx tubuloso- 

 campanulate, limb patent deflected, petals some- 

 what acute, fruit oblong triquetrous. 



HAB. Cultivated. 



FL. Throughout the year. 



This species also came originally from Asia. The fruit 

 is either used crude as a sallad, or it is boiled and added 

 to stews. In the crude state it is found to be cooling and 

 laxative. It is sometimes preserved in salt, with the 

 addition of spices. Cucumbers prepared in this manner 

 are imported into P^ngland from Russia, and occasionally 

 find their way to Jamaica. 



3. Cucumis anguria. Wild Cucumber. 



Very hirsute, stem humifuse angulated cirrhi- 

 ferous, leaves cordate palmato-sinuated 3-4-or-5- 



