MATERIA MEDICA OF THE ANCIENT CHINESE. 321 
the following terms :—In Southern China, in marshes, there 
grows a climbing plant with leaves resembling those of the 
pa kia [v. supra]. The root forms nodular, jointed masses 
like the pa kia root, of a red colour. It tastes like the 
shu yt [ Dioscorea. See 262]. It is called Ya yi Uiany 
(Yi’s extra food). When Emperor Yi once travelled in the 
mountains it occurred that there was no food. Then this root 
was gathered, whence the name. 
Ca‘en Ts‘anc-K‘I [8th cent.]:—The ts‘ao (herbaceous) 
Yu yi liang grows near the seashore and in mountain-valleys. 
The root is like a cup, a conglomerate of nodular masses, one- 
half of it above the ground. The skin of the root is like that 
of the fu ling [Pachyma Cocos. See 350]. The flesh is red 
and of a harsh taste. The people use it for food as a substitute 
for grain in times of scarcity. 
Su Sune [11th cent.]:—In Shi chou [in Hu pei, 
App. 288] there grows one sort of this plant which is called 
ts‘z‘ chu ling [v. supra]. It is a climber. In spring and in 
summer the people dig up the root and, having taken off the 
skin, dry it by artificial heat. It is used for curing con- 
tagious ulcers. 
Lr Sat-cuen :—The t‘u fu ling grows plentifully in the 
mountain-forests of Ch‘u [Hu kuang, App. 24] and Shu 
(Sz ch‘uan). It is a climber, resembles the shun,‘* and has a 
spotted stem. The leaves are not opposite, somewhat re- 
semble large bamboo-leaves, but are thicker, shining and from 
» to 6 inches long. The root resembles that of the pa kia, 
is roundish, consists of a conglomeration of tubers of the size 
of a hen’s or duck’s egg, more or less deep in the ground, 
one foot or but a few inches. The flesh is tender and can be 
eaten raw. There are two sorts, a red anda white. The latter 
is used in medicine. 
“= probably an erroneous letter, for this is a water-plant. See 199. 
41 
