KISHUIM (rf'Ne4P) is translated cucumbers in our A. V., and the correctness of this render ing has been almost universally admitted. It first occurs in Num. xi. 5, in the verse already quoted in ABATTICIIIM, where the Israelites, when in the desert, express their longings for the melons and the Xi's/m/7n or cucumbers of Egypt. Re duced from the plural form, the word kisha is so similar to the Arabic kissa, that there can &— be very little doubt of their both meaning the same thing. Celsius gives keta, kati, and kusaia, as dif ferent pronunciations of the same word in different Oriental languages. It does not follow that these names always indicate exactly the same species ; since in the different countries they would probably be applied to the kinds of cucumber most common, or perhaps to those which were most esteemed in Particular localities. Thus in Egypt the name kati appears to be applied to the species which is called Cucunzis chate by botanists, and queen of cucum bers' by Hasselquist, who describes it as the most highly esteemed of all those cultivated in Egypt [ABArricinm]. In India the name kissa is applied by the Mohammedans to thc Cueunzis or the common kukree of the natives ; while in Persia and Syria the same name would probably be applied only to the common cucumber, or Cu minis sativus, as the two preceding species are not likely to be much known in either country. All
travellers in the East notice the extensive cultiva tion and consumption of cucumbers and other hcrbs of the same tribe, especially where there is any moisture of soil, or the possibility of irrigation. Thus even in the driest parts, the neighbourhood of a well is often occupied by a field of cucurbita ceous plants, generally with a man or boy set to guard it from plunder, perched up on a temporary scaffolding, with a slight protection from the sun, where he may himself be safe from the attacks of the more powerful wild animals. That such plants appear to have been similarly cultivated among the Hebrews is evident from Is. S, The daughter of Zion is left like a cottage in a vineyard, like a lodge in a garden of cucumbers ;' as well as from Baruch vi. 7o, As a scarecrow in a garden of cucumbers keepeth nothing, so are their gods of wood' [AnmicHimj.—J. F. R.