MELON, a species of CUCUMIS, in the Linnæan system. See BOTANY and GARDENING Index.
Water MELON. See ANGURIA, BOTANY Index.
Melos, in Ancient Geography, an island between Crete and Peloponnesus, about 24 miles from Scyllæum. It is about 60 miles in circumference, and of an oblong figure. It enjoyed its independence for about 700 years before the time of the Peloponnesian war. This island was originally peopled by a Lacedæmonian colony, 1116 years before the Christian era. For this reason the inhabitants refused to join the rest of the islands and the Athenians against the Peloponnesians. This refusal was severely punished. The Athenians took Melos, and put to the sword all such as were able to bear arms. The women and children were made slaves, and the island left desolate. An Athenian colony
Melothria repopulated it, till Lysander reconquered it, and re-established the original inhabitants in their possessions.
Melton. MELOTHRIA, a genus of plants belonging to the triandria class; and in the natural method ranking under the 34th order, Cucurbitaceæ. See BOTANY Index.