MATERIA MEDICA OF THE ANCIENT CHINESE. 67 
T‘ao Huna-K1n@ :—It is a common plant in Mid China. 
The leaves resemble those of the tu jo [Alpinia. See 55], 
the root resembles that of the ling [Trapa. See 296]. It has 
hairs between the joints. It is not much used in medicine, 
but it is good for making paste. 
Haw Pao-suene [10th cent.]:—The pai ki is produced 
in Shen chou [in Ho nan, App. 282]. The leaves resemble 
the young (unexpanded) leaves of the tsung (Chamerops), 
also the leaves of the li lu (Veratrum). One stem shoots 
forth in the 3rd or 4th month and produces purple flowers. 
In the 7th month the fruit ripens and assumes a dirty colour. 
The root is white and resembles that of the Trapa and has 
three horns. From the top of the root the sprouts issue. 
The root is dug up in the 8th month. 
Su Sune [11th cent.]:—The plant is common in North 
and Mid China. It grows on rocks, one foot and more high. 
The leaves resemble palm-leaves, are as long as two fingers. 
It bears purple flowers in summer. 
Lit Sar-cuen :—Han Pao-snenc’s account of the plant 
is correct. It produces only one stem. The flowers are an 
inch long, of a reddish purple colour. The heart of the 
flower is like a tongue. The root resembles the Tapa, 
It has a navel like the fu tsz‘ [Scirpus tuberosus. See Rh ya, 
59] and is difficult to dry. a 
Ch., VIL, 12:—Pai ki. Representation of an Orchidea, 
probably Bletia hyacinthina. It is stated there that the 
viscid juice of the root is used in manufacturing porcelain. 
Tatar., Cat., 4:—Pai ki. Rad. Amomacee.—GAUGER, 
who describes and figures the root [6], means that it belongs 
to an Orchid.—P. Surru, 13. 
Le The drug which I procured, under the name of paz ki 
_ from a Peking apothecary’s shop, agreed in shape with the 
above Chinese descriptions and seemed to be the bulb of 
