CUCURBIT ACEjE. 
130 
subglabrous, fruit subrotundo-ovate attenuated at 
both ends angulato-tuberculated orange-coloured 
irregularly and laterally bursting, bractea above 
the middle of the peduncle cordate crenulated, 
arillus scarlet, 
Cucumis puniceus, Sloane, I. A2S — Momordica glabra, 
Browne, 353.— M. balsamina, Linn. Spec. 1453. 
II A B. On fences. Cultivated. 
F L. During the greater part of the year. 
Stem filiform ; branches angular, glabrous. Leaves 
irregularly dentate, glabrous with exception of the mi- 
nutely puberulous undersurface of the nerves. Peduncles 
axillary, about an inch and a half in length, puberulous, 
bearing a single bractca, which is cordate, orbiculate, 
crenulated, puberulous, longitudinally nerved, apiculated ; 
placed about two or three lines below the insertion of the 
flower. Calycine divisions ovate, attenuato-apiculated, 
externally puberulous. Corolla 5-partite nearly to the 
base ; lobes rounded, veined, puberulous. Stamens 3- 
adelphous. Fruit nearly two inches in length, spherical, 
attenuated at both ends, marked with eight longitudinal 
rows of tubercles, bursting irregularly and laterally with 
an elastic spring from the base : arillus scarlet : seeds 
about 5, oblong, compressed, smooth. 
This plant was probably introduced from the East. 
Ainslie informs us that the Sanscrit name of the plant is 
vahisee , which sounds very like our cerasee. Hasselquist 
mentions that the fruit of this species is famous in Syria 
for curing wounds. The natives cut it open and infuse 
it in sweet oil, which they expose to the sun for a few 
days, and then preserve for use. Dropped on cotton and 
applied to a fresh wound, they consider it as a vulnerary 
little inferior to the Balsam of Mecca . A decoction of 
the root is said to act as a de-obstruent, and to promote 
the secretions of the liver and kidneys. An infusion of 
the pulp of the fruit, with the addition of the carbonate of 
soda, forms an elegant wash for discolorations of the cutis. 
The leaves are a favorite potherb in India, and have the 
reputation of promoting the lochial discharge when 
scanty. The fruit contains an insipid sweetish pulp, 
which Barham assures us, “ purges excellently well’’ : so 
that mixed with guinea-pepper it is efficacious tor the ciue 
of belly ache. 
