MATERIA MEDICA OF THE ANCIENT CHINESE. 17 
sometimes erroneously written ¥ 3¥ huang shi. The leaves 
of the huang ki resemble those of the huai (Sophora japonica) 
but are smaller and pointed. They resemble also the leaves 
of the tsi li ( Tribulus terrestris) but are broader and larger, 
and of a whitish green colour. The flowers are of a 
yellowish purple colour, as large as those of the ua’. The 
fruit is a pointed pod, one inch and more long. The root 
is from 2 to 3 feet long. That which is tight and _ solid, 
like the shaft of an arrow, is the best. The young leaves 
are edible, and therefore the plant is also cultivated as a 
vegetable. 
The Aiu huang [XLVI, 13] and the Ch. [VII, 3] 
represent sub Auang k% a leguminous plant. 
Tatar. Cat., 10: huang ki, Radix Sophore flavescentis. 
The latter is a common plant in North China. 
Gaucer [8], who describes and depicts this Chinese drug, 
is of opinion that it is the root of an Astragalus. This view 
is confirmed by Father Davip, who in the account of his 
journey in 8. Mongolia speaks of a large herbaceous plant 
hoang tchy, of the order Leguminosw, the root of which js 
dug up there and sent to China as a medicine. FrANcner 
[Plante David. Mongol., 86] described it as Astragalus hoang 
tchy. In Hupeh the drug hvang ki (ch) is derived from 
Astragalus Henryi, Oliv. [See Hewry’s memorandum in 
_ Hooxer’s Leones. Plant., tab. 1959. | 
Comp. also my Early Europ. Res. Bot. Chin. [p. 147], 
Lovnetro’s Robinia fava and infra 7 sub. huang tsing. 
P. Smrn, 202: huang ki. Sophora tomentosa. But — 
> 6 » NO} 
[p. 180] he identifies erroneously the same Chinese name 
with Ptarmica sibirica, 
Cust. Med. p. 24 (25), huang ki exported from Tien tsin 
3,945 piculs,—p. 58 (10) I chang 224 piculs,—p. 68 (26) 
Han kow 1,450.—P. 451 (510): Places of production : 
