198 
XL. SAMYDACE2E 
crowded in axillary clusters. Calyx free, persistent, tomentose, 
5-parted; lobes orbicular, concave. Petals none. Stamens 8, 
inserted at the base of the calyx, alternate with 8 hairy 
staminodes, filaments free, anthers 2-celled. Ovary superior, 1- 
celled ; style very short ; stigma capitate ; ovules numerous. 
Capsule more or less succulent, ovoid, J in. long, 6-ribbed, open- 
ing by 3 valves ; seeds about 8 on each valve, ovoid, enveloped in 
a fleshy, red aril. (Fig. 59.) 
Sutlej valley, Suni ; April, May. — Throughout India, ascending to 3000 ft. 
— Malay islands, N. Australia. 
XLI. CUCURBITACE^E 
Perennial or annual herbs, often rough, juice watery ; stems 
usually long, climbing by means of spirally twining, lateral ten- 
drils. Leaves alternate, stalked, undivided or lobed, usually 
cordate ; principal nerves basal. Flowers axillary, 1-sexual, male 
and^ female on the same or on different plants. Calyx-tube adnate 
to tfie ovary ; limb 5-lobed or toothed. Corolla 5-lobed nearly to 
the base, inserted on the calyx-limb. Stamens 3, inserted on the 
calyx-tube ; filaments free, usually short ; anthers included, free 
or united, one anther 1 -celled, the others 2-celled, cells linear, 
folded, curved or straight. Ovary inferior, 3 -celled ; style single ; 
stigma 3-branched or 3-lobed ; ovules usually numerous, inserted 
on projections or placentas issuing from the cell-walls. Fruit 
capsular or berry-like, opening by 3 valves or indehiscent ; seeds 
many or few, small, usually flattened. — A large Order, chiefly 
tropical, rare in temperate regions, most abundant in Africa.— 
Name derived from the Latin cucumis, a cucumber, and orbis, a 
sphere, globe ; referring to the shape of some Gourds. 
Many species are cultivated, such as Cucumbers, Melons, Gourds, Pumpkins, 
Vegetable Marrows, etc., most of them of very ancient cultivation, but unknown 
in a wild state. 
Flowers more than 1 in. diani. 
Flowers white. Petals fringed, . . . .1. Trichosanthes. 
Flowers yellow. Petals entire 2. Herpetospermum. 
Flowers less than j in. diam. 
Stems and leaves rough, bristly or covered with 
minute, sharp points 3. Mukia. 
Stems and leaves smooth, glabrous or slightly pu- 
bescent 4. Zehneria. 
1. TRICHOSANTHES. From the Greek thrix, trichos, hair, 
and anthos, a flower ; referring to the fringed petals. — Asia, 
N. Australia. 
