LuFFA.] CTJCVRBITACBM, 367 



of the Old World, some of tliem widely cultivated, and one indigenous 

 in America. 



Fruit smooth. 

 Stamens 5, fruit not ridged . . • » 1. L. cBgyjptiaca. 

 Stamens 3, fruit sharply lO-ridged . . 2. L. acutangula. 

 Fruit densely bristly . . . . , 3. L. echinata 



1. L. segyptiaca, Mill. ; F. B. I. ii, 614 ; Field ^ Gard. Crops part ii, 

 61, t xiii ; Watt E. D. L. pentandra, Roxh. ; Fl. Ind. Hi, 712 ; W. ^ A. 

 Trod. 343 ; Royle 111. 218. L. clavata, Phoxh. I.e. 714. L. racemosa, Roxh. I.e. 

 715. L. acutangula W. Sf A. I.e. (not of Eoxb.). L. cylindrica, Rcem. ; Qogn. 

 inD.C.Mon. Phan, Hi, 456; DC/L'Orig. PI. Cult. 214. -Vern. Ghiya 

 taroi. 



Extensively climbing, tendrils 8-fid. Leaves 4 in, in diam., reniform-orbi- 

 cular, 5-angled or 5-lobed, dentate, usually scabrous, punctate on both 

 surfaces ; petiole 2 in. Male fioivers approximate at the summit of long 

 peduncles ; pedicels usually short, each with a small ovate entire viscid 



.': bract. Petals |-1 in., deep-yellow, often with elevated hairy green veins. 

 Stainens 5. Fe'inale jiowers solitary, peduncle 1-3 in. Fruit 5-12 in. elon- 

 gate, clavate, smooth, obscurely 10-ribbed. Seeds f in. long, narrowly 

 -winged, usually black, smooth or slightly tubercled. 



Cultivated within the area during the rainy season and throughout the 



. greater part of India, as well as in Africa and America, It is believed to 



be indigenous in India, in the Indian Archipelago and in N. Australia. 



The young fruit is much eaten as a vegetable. When dry it becomes 



filled with a network of fibres, and is then used as a flesh-brush. 



2. L. acutangula, Bowh. Hort. Beng. 70 ; Fl. Ind. Hi, 713 ; Royle III. 

 218;F.B.I.ii,615; DC. L'Orig. PI, Cult. 215; Field Sj- Gard. Crops 

 partii,60,t. Ixii ; Watt F. D. ; Gogn. in DH. Mon. Phan. Hi, 459.— Vern. 

 Kali taroi, hali tori, satpatiya (Bundelkhand). 



Very similar in many respects to the preceding species, but differing 

 chiefly by having only 3 stamens, and by its smaller and acutely 10- 

 angled fruit. 



This plant is much cultivated during the rainy season within the area, and 

 throughout the greater part of India, as well as in other tropical 

 countries. DeCandoUe considered it to be indigenous in India and in the 

 Malay Archipelago. The young frait is a much esteemed vegetable. 

 The seeds, leaves and roots are iised medicinally. 



'V'ab. amara, Clarke in F. B. I. I.e. ; Cogn. I.e. L. amara, Uoxh. ; Fl. Ind. 

 Hi, 715 ; W. Sf A. Prod. 343 ; D. Sf G. Bomb. Fl. 102.— Leaves smaller, 

 whitish, softly villous, and at length scabrous. Fruit ovoid or oblong ; 

 ribs not prominently winged. Seeds smaller.— Merw a ra. Distrib, 

 Greater part of India, especially on the Western side.— Every part of 

 the plant is intensely bitter, and possesses important medicinal pro- 

 perties. 



3. L. echinata, RoxK Hort Beng. 104 ; Fl. Ind. Hi, 716 ; W. ^ A. Prod. 

 243 ; D. # G. Bomb. Fl. 102 ; F. B. I. n, 615 ; Cogn. in DC. Mon. Phan. Hi. 



