MATERIA MEDICA OF THE ANCIENT CHINESE. 57 
T‘ao Hune-Kine :—The hiian shen is a common plant 
in Mid China. Its stem is like that of the true ginseng 
but higher. The root is very black, slightly fragrant. The 
Taoists use it as a perfume. 
Su Kune [7th cent.]:—The yiian shen has a disagreeable 
smell. Its stem does not resemble that of the ginseng. 
It is unknown to the author that the drag is used as a 
perfume. 
Ma Cut [10th cent.]:—It has a square stem, from four 
to five feet high, of a brown colour, covered with fine hair. 
The leaves are large, like the palm of the hand, and sharp. 
The fresh root is greenish white, succulent; when dried it 
becomes purplish black. 
‘Su Suna [11th cent.]:—The leaves’ stand opposite, 
resemble those of the chi ma [Sesamum. See 216]. They 
are long, serrated. The stem is slender, of a purplish green 
colour. In the 7th month it opens its greenish flowers, in 
the 8th month it produces black fruits. Another kind has 
white flowers, a large square stem covered with fine hair, 
The root consists of from five to seven different pieces, 
It Sui-cuen :—The yiian shen which is now used, is 
that described by Su Sune. Su Kune is right in stating 
that the root has an unpleasant smell. It is perennial and 
frequently worm-eaten, and therefore full of holes. The 
flowers are purple or white. Lt is also called FH ZS hei shen 
(black ginseng) or BF 3 je ye chi ma (wild Sesamum). 
Ch., VU, 43:— Yuan shen. The drawing is too indistinct 
to permit of identification. 
Tatar., Cat., 48 :—Hian shen, Radix.—Gaucer, 40, 
the same root described and figured.—Hans. [Se. pap., 255] 
also describes this root. It is internally fleshy and black. 
P. Surra, 104:—Black Ginseng. , 
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