MATERIA MEDICA OF THE ANCIENT CHINESE. 367 
the vague descriptions in the P. do not seem to point to 
this plant. The Ch. [XVI, 5] figures, sub shi ch‘ang sheng, 
a Fern but not Adiantum. ; 
Phon zo, XX XV, 15:—4G BAR, Adiantum monochlamys, 
Eaton [Adiantum ethiopicum, Thbg., which has black petioles]. 
Referring to T‘ao Hune-K1na’s ststement that the shi 
ch‘ang sheng has black leaves, I may observe that most of 
the species of Adiantum have black stipes. See Benvu., Fl. 
hongk., 446, Adiantum :—Stipes usually slender, black and 
shining, ete. 
205. K king tien. P., XX,7. T., CKRXXVI. 
Pen king :—King t‘ien (brilliant heaven), Nit Je shen huo 
and J AK kiao huo [the meaning of both names is “ guarding 
against fires” ]. Flowers [and also leaves] used in medicine. 
Taste bitter. Nature uniform. Non-poisonous. [Subse- 
quent writers say “slightly poisonous.” | 
Pie lu:—Other names: #% Je kiu huo, PR Ye ki huo 
[both names have the same meaning as shen huo, v. supra], 
XK BE huo mu (mother of fire). The king t%en grows in 
T'ai shan [in Shan tung, App. 322] in river-valleys. It is 
gathered on the 4th day of the 4th month and on the 
7th day of the 7th, and dried in the shade. 
T‘ao Hung-K1na :-—The king tien is the most elegant of 
all plants. The people keep it in pots upon their houses, for 
it is reputed to be a protection against fires. Another name 
for it is BR pi huo [same meaning as the former names]. 
Outside the city of Kuang chou (Canton) there stands a 
large tree, from three to four fathoms in girth, which is called 
RK fel shen luo shu. 
Ma Ont [10th cent.] observes that in the accounts of 
Southern China no mention is made of this tree. 
