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(Melon-cactus.) Round-stemmed, ribbed, succulent plants, covered with spines on the ridge of the ribs, and producing the flowers among wool, on a hairy head or cap, which is protruded from the top of the stem. They were included by Linnaeus in his genus Cactus; and they are, in fact, scarcely distinguishable from those dismemberments of the genus to which the modern names of Cereus and Echino cactus are applied. For the sake of their grotesque form, they are often cultivated by persons curious in collecting singular vegetables. MELODRAMA. {Gr. fx.tXoi,song,sia ^a,!jca.,drama.) A short drama in which music is introduced; but differing from the opera, as the greater part of the words are recited, and not sung. In Germany, the melodrama is a short dramatic piece in lyrical verse; but among ourselves, and in France, its character is chiefly that of being a vehicle for gorgeous decoration and scenery, with an insignificant plot, usually of a serious or romantic description. [s. 742]