CUCU RBITACEyE. 
131 
and that the patient gets into a dropsy.” As, in a full dose, 
vomiting and purging are produced, it may be from this 
quality that it has acquired its reputation as an alexi- 
pharmic. 
In some families it is kept infused in spirit, with orange 
peel and wild cinnamon, and a portion of this tincture 
diluted with wine is not unfrequently offered to the guests 
previous to dinner. This is a most abominable potion, to 
be relished only by the most devoted dram-drinker, and 
calculated to bring on nausea and loss of appetite ; a most 
serious occurrence at such a time. It reminds one of the 
liqueur known by the name absinthe, but surpasses it in 
every unpalatable quality. 
The seeds abounding in oil, burn freely when ignited, 
and serve as a substitute for candles. The expressed oil 
gives a clear light when burnt in lamps, and has been 
manufactured into candles. 
In cases of poisoned wound, such as that by a dog sus- 
pected of rabies, the pounded kernel of the seed, mixed 
with laudanum, is applied to the wound, and the appli- 
cation is regarded, by the simple natives, as the “ so- 
vereign’st thing on earth whereas the only effect that 
can be produced is that of irritating the wound. 
II. L AGENARIA. 
Calyx campanulate ; lobes subulate or some- 
what broad, shorter than the tube. Corolla 
white: petals obovate, arising within the margin 
of the calyx. Stamens 5, tri-adelphous with the 
fifth free. ? Style generally O: stigmata 3, 
thick, bilobed, granulose. Fruit 3-5 ?-celled 
seeds obovate, compressed, tumid at the edge, 
bilobed at the apex. 
Name from lagena a bottle. 
1. Lagenaria vulgaris. Bottle- Gourd. 
Softly pubescent musky, stem seandenf, cirrhi 
3-4-cleft, leaves cordate subentire piloso-subglau- 
cescent biglandulose at the base, flowers monoe- 
cious stellated very patent fasciculed, connective 
