558 An Account of Ten Varieties of Persian Melons. 



IV. The Melon of Seen. 



A fruit of regular figure and handsome appearance, seven 

 inches long, by five inches wide. Shape ovate, with a small 

 mamelon at the apex. Surface, pale dusky yellow, regularly 

 and closely netted all over, except the mamelon, which is but 

 little marked. At the base the netting becomes confluent, 

 and gives the coat a russet yellow appearance. Stalk easily 

 separating ; rind very thin ; flesh from an inch and a half to 

 two inches thick, pale green, sometimes becoming reddish 

 towards the inside, exceedingly tender and juicy. Juice 

 sweet, delicately perfumed, as cool as a water melon. A 

 good bearer, but late in ripening. 



The fruit is of the same degree of excellence as the two 

 last, but is very different from those in appearance. It 

 resembles the Melon of Keiseng in form and colour, but is 

 neither so juicy, sweet, or high flavoured. Seen, from which 

 the fruit is named, is one of the villages near Ispahan, whence 

 this particular variety was procured. 



V. The Large Germek Melon. 

 A heavy handsome ribbed fruit, generally weighing five or 

 six pounds, shaped like a depressed sphere, usually six 

 inches deep, but varying in breadth from seven to nine 

 inches. At the apex is situated a corona,* varying from an 



* The corona of a Melon is the area at the apex, included within a circular 

 scar, which indicates the place whence the flower dropped. In common Melons, 

 it is generally obliterated, but in a few of the Persian kinds, it is very obvious. 

 In the Gourd tribe, it is that remarkable protuberance of the apex, which gardeners 

 call the Turban, and which gives its name to the tribe named Turban Gourds. 



