MALE BALSAM APPLE: A genus of the syngeaeceae order, belonging to the monoecia class of plants; and in the natural method ranking under the 34th order, Cucurbitaceae. The male calyx is quinquefid; the corolla septapartite; the filaments are three in number. The female calyx is trifid; the corolla quinquepartite; the style trifid; the fruit is an apple parting afunder with a spring. The most remarkable species are, 1. The balsamina, or male balsam apple. This is a native of Asia; and has a trailing stalk like those of the cucumber or melon, with smooth leaves, cut into several segments, and spread open like a hand. The fruit is oval, ending in acute points, having several deep angles, with sharp tubercles placed on their edges. It changes to a red or purplish colour when ripe, opening with an elasticity, and throwing out its seeds. 2. The elaterium, wild or spurting cucumber, has a large fleshy root, somewhat like briony, from whence come forth every spring several thick, rough, trailing stalks, dividing into many branches, and extending every way two or three feet; these are garnished with thick, rough, almost heart-shaped leaves, of a grey colour. colour, standing upon long foot-stalks. The flowers come out from the wings of the stalks; these are male and female, growing at different places on the same plant like those of the common cucumber: but they are much less, of a pale yellow colour, with a greenish bottom; the male flowers stand upon thick, short, foot-stalks, but the female flowers sit upon the young fruit; which, after the flower is faded, grows of an oval form, an inch and a half long, swelling like a cucumber, of a grey colour like the leaves, and covered over with short prickles. This species has one of its names from the property of casting out its seeds, together with the viscid juice in which the seeds are lodged, with a violent force, it touched while ripe.

Uses. The first species is famous in Syria for curing wounds. The natives cut open the unripe fruit, and infuse it in sweet oil, which they expose to the sun for some days, until it becomes red; and then present it for use. Dropped on cotton, and applied to a fresh wound, the Syrians reckon this oil the best vulnerary next to balsam of Mecca, having found by experience that it often cures large wounds in three days. The leaves and stems of this plant are used for arbores or bowers. The elaterium of the shops is the fruit, or rather the inspissated fecula, of the juice of the unripe fruit of the wild cucumber. It is usually sent us from Spain and the southern parts of France, where the plant is common. We receive it in small, flat, whitish lumps, or cakes, that are dry, and break easily between the fingers. It is of an acrid, nauseous, bitter taste, and has a strong offensive smell when newly made; but these, as well as its other properties, it loses after being kept for some time. It is a very violent purge and vomit, and is now but seldom used. From the property which the plant has of throwing out its seeds, it has sometimes been called Noli me tangere.