450 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



GOURDS AND CUCURBITS. 

 By John AY. Odell, F.R.H.S. 



There is probably no group of plants cultivated in the gardens of to-day 

 so historic and antique as the Cucurbits and Gourds. They can be traced 

 back to the remote periods of the Old Testament, where they form the 

 subject of such narratives as those of Jonah and of Elisha at Gilgal. 



There is, I know, some doubt as to the true meaning of the Gourd in 

 connection with the Jonah narrative ; but, as Dr. Tristram points out in 

 his "Natural History of the Bible," there is a strong probability of its 

 being Cucurbita Pepo and not Bicinus. The reason is one that to some 

 extent forms the basis of my paper. 



" The Gourd," Dr. Tristram says, " is very commonly employed in 

 Palestine for the purpose of shading arbours. Its rapid growth and 

 large leaves render it admirably adapted for training on a trellis- work." 



The exact genus or even species referred to in connection with the 

 visit of Elisha to Gilgal is again not quite precise, but as there are three 

 Cucurbits common to that part of the Holy Land we may, I think, fairly 

 conclude that it was one of them. 



The three are the Colocynth (Citrullus Colocynthis), the well-known 

 drug, the Squirting Cucumber (Ecballium Elatorium), and the Prophet's 

 Cucumber (Cucumis prophctarum). The evidence is, I think, strongly in 

 favour of the Squirting Cucumber, because we are told by Dr. Tristram 

 that the word " pakkuotJi, from a root signifying to burst," is translated 

 " wild gourds " in 2 Kings iv. 88-40 ; and, as the Colocynth is so common 

 and plentiful in Palestine, one would naturally suppose that the prophet's 

 servant would have some knowledge of its poisonous properties. 



Professor Henslow, speaking of the antiquity of the Cucumber (one of 

 the best known and commonest of the Cucurbits), says * " the Cucumber 

 has been cultivated in India for 3,000 years" ; that it "was introduced 

 into China B.C. 200 and, further, that "Cucumbers were grown in 

 Pliny's time, who, however, appears to have mixed up Gourds and Melons 

 with them." 



From those remote and far-away times up to the present day Gourds 

 have been favourite subjects of cultivation in all lands. Climate has of 

 course been a great factor in the amount of enthusiasm displayed in their 

 culture. 



In the sunny climate of the French and Italian Rivieras, Spain, and 

 the Southern States of North America they have been widely grown and 

 treasured. Indeed the well-known horticulturist Mr. O'Brien, of Orchid 

 fame, has a firm conviction that in those remote days Gourds were as 

 extensively grown and as popular as Orchids are to-day. 



The reason for this long-sustained interest in the Gourd family is, 

 I think, very obvious when one sees a really good collection of Gourds and 

 Cucurbits. 



* Journat, R.H.S. vol. xvii. p. 125. 



