54 PANAX. No. 71- 



this. Nay, it appears that there are even several varie- 

 ties or species in North America, of which the figures of 

 Bigelow (or mme) and of Barton, form two at least. 

 The same happens probably in Asia ; we have only the 

 figure of one Asiatic kind to ascertain well this fact j. 

 but the medical writers of China distinguish at least ten 

 kinds of Ginseng, some of which must be produced by 

 very difterent plants : they are, 



1. The true Ginseng of Manchuria, my variety Asia- 

 ticum^ with large juicy forked roots, yellow and strong. 

 . 2. Ginseng of Corea, with large soft roots, commonly 

 four leaves* 



3. Of Petsi and Taighan, white firm small roots, taste 



mild, leaves purple- 



4. Of Sinlo, roots one foot long, with branches similar 

 to the arms and legs of a man. 



5. Of Chantan^, long and thin roots, with many 

 branches, very valuable. 



6. Of Leaotong, roots smooth and yellow outside, 

 white inside. 



r* Of Hiang, with sweet roots. 



8. Of Chaochu, small short roots, of little value. 



9. Of Chaseng, roots dry, insipid, with little strength. 



10. Of Kikeng, firm, but bitter root. 



There is, besides, a great difference in these roots, 

 according to the soils where growing, the time and mode 

 of gathering. &c. This explains, at least, the variety of 

 opinions among medical men, on the value and proper- 

 ties of this plant. It has always appeared strange to 

 me, that our medical sceptics should doubt the Chinese 

 accounts i they may be a little exaggerated, but the ex- 

 penence of many ages ought not to be ridiculed, because ' 

 we are ignorant in Botany, have never properly analyzed 

 thjs root, and have even none but an inferior kind to 

 try. It is preposterous in Bigelow to call the Ginseng 

 a mere demulcent, while it contains a kind of camphor, 

 which he could not detect. The best Chinese kinds may 

 contam other active substances, and although their high 

 pnce precludes our using them, we ought, instead of 

 S?^ ^* the Chinese for paying once glOO the lb. for 



f^r Anr ""'^ t^^""^ Quinine and other drugs) to try how 

 lar our own kmds may be equivalents. ^ ^ ^ 

 ^ne American Ginseng has the same form, taste, and 



