Ohs. This plant — so well known for its delicious fruit — is extensively
cultivated, — but succeeds best in the sandy soils along the Atlantic
coast, or on the alluvial banks of our Western waters. There is a
nearly allied plant, often seen in gardens, which bears a considerably
different fruit — known by the name of " Citron," the firm rind of which
is used in making " Sweet meats " or Preserves. The flesh is very firm,
and the centre does not become red, tender nor watery, like the common
Water-melon : yet the whole aspect of the plant, and external appear-
ance of the fruit, so closely resemble this species, that I suppose it may
be nothing more than a variety : perhaps the var. Pastecaj Ser.
Digitized



by Google



GOUKD FAMILY.
141



4. SI'OYOS, L, One-seeded Star- cucumber.
[The ancient Greek name for the Cucumber.]

Petals 5, united below into a bell-
shapei or flattish corolla. Stameiis
5, all cohering. Ovary 1-celled ; style
slender; stigmas 3. Fruit ovate,
compressed, dry and membranaceous,
filled by a single seed, beset with
barbed prickles. Climbing annuals,
resembling the common Cucumber
vine : fruit in capitate clusters.
L S. angnla'tus, L. Leaves cor-
date at base, angulate 5-lobed ; fruit
prickly and villous in small, dense,
pedunculate clusters.
Angulate Sicyos. One-seeded star-
cucumber.
