D. H. Gilbert, Monticello, Florida 
3 
Origin of the Watermelon 
The Watermelon, from the botanical stand¬ 
point belongs to the group—“Cucurbitacaae” 
and is known to the botanist as “Citrullus Vul¬ 
garis”. 
Since it has a Sanskrist name was probably 
taken to India early, and reached China about 
the 10th, century A. D. 
It has no name in the ancient Greek or Latin 
language, probably not known before the Chris¬ 
tian Era. 
The claim that Watermelon to be a native 
of Africa is conflicting with history, we learn 
that the seed from Africa was brught to Amer¬ 
ica about the 16th, century, and in the year 
1562, Jean Ribault is mentioned as eating Wat¬ 
ermelon, probably the first white person to eat 
Watermelon in America, which was nearly half 
century earlier than the time the seed from 
Africa was reported. 
History, relating the circumstances about 
Ribault states, that Jean Ribault in the year 
1562 with a colony of Huguenots landed at a 
point on the Saint Mary’s River in Florida, 
there met two Indians who possessed numerous 
gold trinkets. 
Upon inquiry about the gold, Ribault was 
directed west, giving signs of invitation to 
follow them, accompanied by two of his party 
Ribault traveled inland west to Lake Micco- 
sukee, there encountered a tribe of Indians— 
“The Natchez”—who were very friendly, their 
Chief informed Ribault that they were driven 
from the west (Mexico) by hostile Indians, and 
that his tribe was content to settle there, and 
in addition to hunting, raised vegetables. 
When Ribault prepared to return to his 
colony and boat, which was anchored on the 
