CUCURB1TACE/E. 139 



subglabrous, fruit subrotundo-ovate attenuated at 

 both ends angulato-tubcrculated orange-coloured 

 irregularly and laterally bursting, bractea above 

 the middle of the peduncle cordate crenulated, 

 arillus scarlet, 



Cucumis puniceus, Sloane, I. 128 — Momordica glabra, 

 Browne, 353. — M. balsamma, Linn. Spec. 1453. 



HAB. On fences. Cultivated. 



F L. During the greater part of the year. 



Stem filiform ; branches angular, glabrous. Leaves 

 irregularly dentate, glabrous with exception of the mi- 

 nutely puberulous under surface of the nerves. Peduncles 

 axillary, about an inch and a half in length, puberulous, 

 bearing a single bractea, which is cordate, orbiculate, 

 crenulated, puberulous, longitudinally nerved, apiculated ; 

 placed about two or three lines below the insertion of the 

 flower. Calycine divisions ovate, attenuato-apiculated, 

 externally puberulous. Corolla 5-partite nearly to the 

 base ; lobes rounded, veined, puberulous. Stamens 3- 

 adelphous. Fruit nearly two inches in length, spherical, 

 attenuated at both ends, marked with eight longitudinal 

 rows of tubercles, bursting irregularly and laterally with 

 an elastic spring from the base : arillus scarlet : seeds 

 about 5, oblong, compressed, smooth. 



This plant was probably introduced from the East. 

 Ainslie informs us that the Sanscrit name of the plant is 

 vahisee, which sounds very like our cerasee. Hassclquist 

 mentions that the fruit of this species is famous in Syria 

 for curing wounds. The natives cut it open and infuse 

 it in sweet oil, which they expose to the sun for a few 

 days, and then preserve for use. Dropped on cotton and 

 applied to a fresh wound, they consider it as a vulnerary 

 little inferior to the Balsam of Mecca. A decoction of 

 the root is said to act as a de-obstruent, and to promote 

 the secretions of the liver and kidneys. An infusion of 

 the pulp of the fruit, with the addition of the carbonate of 

 soda, forms an elegant wash for discolorations of the cutis. 

 The leaves are a favorite potherb in India, and have the 

 reputation of promoting the lochial discharge when 

 scanty. The fruit contains an insipid sweetish pulp, 

 which Barham assures us, " purges excellently well" : so 

 that mixed with guinea-pepper it is efficacious for the cure 

 of belly ache. 



