364 CUCUBBITACE^. [Teichosasthbs. 



4. T. dicselosperma, Clarke in F, B. I. it, 609 ; Cogn. in BC^ Mon, 

 Fhan. Hi, 881. 



.Stems long, twining, sulcate, pulDerulous ; tendrils 2-fid. Leaves about 

 4 in. long, cordate-ovate, acnte, minutely denticulate, softly pubescent 

 on both surfaces; petiole 1^ in., densely villous. Flowers dioecious. 

 Male peduncles in pairs, one early and 1-flowered, the other 2-3 in. long 

 and racerued ; bracts minute or 0. Calyx-tube I5 in., narrow, pubescent ; 

 teeth spreading, subulate. Fruit globose, I5 in. in diam., pubescent, 

 with 10 pale "vertical bands. Seeds pale-grey, embedded in orange pulp, 

 3-celled, the lateral cells empty, 



Dehra Dun (King). Distrib. Sikkim 2— 5,000ft., Khasia Hills up to 

 4,000 ft. 



5. T. cucumerina, Linn.; Roxb. Fl. Ind. Hi, 702 ; W. ^ A. Prod. 350 ; 

 Royle 111. 219; D. ^ G. Bomb. Fl. 102; F. B. I. ii, 609 ; Watt E. D.; Cogn. 

 in DC. Mon. Phan. Hi, 359. T, lobata, Roxb. Fl. Ind. Hi, 705.— Vern. 

 -Jangli cliichinda. ^ 



Stems twining, branched, more or less pubescent ; tendrils 2'3-fid. Leaves 

 2-4 in. in diam,, suborbicular or reniform in outline, usually 5-lobed 

 or-angular ; lobes obtuse or acute, denticulate, hairy on both surfaces ; 

 petiole 4 in. Male peduncles in pairs, the earlier l-flowered, the other 

 racemed, occasionally in place of the earlier is found a female. Calyx- 

 tube narrowed to the base, puberulous ; teeth short, subulate. Fruit 

 1-3 in. long, ovoid-conical, at first glaucous streaked with white, turning 

 to yellow when ripe. Seeds about | in. long, embedded in red pulp, 

 ^-ellipsoid, compressed, corrugate. 



Common within the area, and often found on hedges. Distrib, Through- 

 •out India and in Ceylon ; also in the Malay Penins. and Islands, and in 

 N. Australia. Various parts of the plant are used medicinally. The 

 fruit, which ripens during the rains, is largely eaten as a vegetable, and 

 the young tops as a potherb. 



6. T. anguina, Linn.; Boxb. Fl. Ind. Hi, 701 ; W. Sf A. Prod. 350 ; 

 F.B.T.H 610; Cogn. in DC. Mon. Phan Hi, 859 ; DC. L' Grig. PI. Cult. 

 217 ; Field ^- Gord. Crops, part ii, 45, t. xlvi; Watt E. D.-Vern, Cha- 



.chinda (Snake gourd). 



This resembles the preceding species almost exactly except as regards the 

 fruit, which differs chiefly in being very variable both as to shape and 

 size. It varies from 1-3 ft. in length, and is often much contorted. 

 When young it is green striped with white, changing to a bright orange 

 colour when ripe. ^ 



Extensively cultivated within the area and throughout the hotter parts of 

 India and in China. As suggested by Mr. Clarke, it is in all probability 

 only a cultivated form of T. cucumerina. The fruit is largely eaten as a 

 vegetable, and is sometimes sliced and cooked so asito resemble French 

 beans. 



7. T. dioica. Roxb. Hort. Beng. 70; Fl. Ind. Hi, 701 ; Royle III. 219; 

 F. B. 1. H. 609; Coqn. in DC. Mon. Phan. Hi, 385; Field Sf Gard. Crops 

 part Hi, 23; Watt E. D.-Vern. Palwal. 



