1 35 
•CtJCURBITACE.fi. 
This plant is regarded as originally a native of Africa 
and India. It is also cultivated in tlie Levant, Italy and 
the !South of France, and in the warmer regions of the 
American continent, as well as in these Islands. It has been 
remarked that it thrives best in maritime situations, as if 
the sea air were favorable to its growth and productive- 
ness. In this island it acquires the greatest perfection, 
and no particular cultivation is required. The fruit is not 
unfrequently a foot and a half in length, w'ith the diame- 
ter in proportion. As a proof of its abundance, l may 
mention that the price varies from three-pence to six- 
pence. 
The pulp is of a red colour with its cells filled 
with a watery fluid, so that it dissolves nearly entirely 
in the mouth. From this quality, it has received the 
name of Water Melon. It is a most grateful fruit to the 
inhabitants of warm countries, superior in its cooling 
effects, as well in being grateful to the palate, to any of 
the ices or other highly-prized preparations of the most 
skilful confectione”. At the same time it is light ofdiges- 
tion, agreeing with the weakest stomachs, and yielding 
though sparingly a certain degree of nutriment. The 
fruit even when removed from the stem, after being ex- 
posed for some time to the mid day sun, is still found to 
be cool and refreshing. 1 have given it with advantage 
in fever. It is slightly laxative. The French have be- 
stowed on the seeds of the Melons, the name of “ semences 
froides ” and have employed them in the form of emulsion, 
in the treatment of inflammatory fevers. By the Arabian 
physicians they are regarded as lilhontriptic. 
IV. Luffa. 
Male flown's panicled, yellow. Tube of the 
calyx hemispherical 5 the divisions longer than 
the tube. Petals free, deciduous. Stamens 5, 
free * anthers very flexuose. Female flowers 
solitary. Calyx with the tube oblongo-elavate ; 
divisions shorter than the tube. Stamens sub- 
abortive. Stigmata reniform. Pepo ovate 3- 
locular. 
Name derived from louff, the Arabic name of luffa 
JEG YPTIACA. 
