20 CHINESE MATERIA MEDICA. 



to have been introduced into Canton province from Manila ;' 

 at least the fibers, sometimes called Pita-fiax^ are said to be 

 employed in the manufacture of mosquito netting. This fiber 

 has, however, been referred by French botanists to Chamcsrops 

 excelsa (:j=^ f^, Tsung-lii), the coir-palm. The hemp has also 

 been called Po-lo-ma (JS^ %.\ but it is more probable that 

 this latter is the Chinese name for Corchoriis or Triumfetta^ 

 tiliaceous plants, which see. The Agave Mexicana has been 

 confounded by Professor Neuman with the ^ ^ (Fu-sang), 

 which is evidently a malvaceous shrub, the Hibisnis rosa- 

 sinensis^ and upon his identification he has grounded a pre- 

 sumption in favor of an early discovery of America by the 

 Chinese. The land named after this plant, which was seen 

 growing in profusion there, has been identified by Klaproth 

 with Saghalien ; by Leland with a part of the American 

 continent, and by others with Japan. The Fu-sang, of which 

 the ancient Chinese books speak, was not the Hibisais rosa- 

 sinensis^ but it was the name of a fabulous tree, behind which 

 the sun was supposed to rise. The Agave Mexica^ia has been 

 naturalized in India, and is largely cultivated there. Indian 

 experience has confirmed the anti-syphilitic properties assigned 

 by the Mexicans to this plant. Dr. Hutchinson, of India, cut 

 the large, fleshy leaves into thin slices, and used them as 

 poultices. 



AGLAIA ODORATA.— H ^ H (San-yeh-lan), %-^M 

 (Mi-sui-lan). The flowers of this meliaceous plant are used to 

 scent teas. The dried buds are called M iTt ^It (Lan-hwa-mi), 

 691. The leaves and root are well worth trial as tonics, as 

 Canella and other excellent tonics are referred to this order. 

 The tender leaves are eaten as a vegetable. 



AILANTHUS GLANDULOSA.— ^f fCh'u), otherwise 

 know as ^\% (Ch'ou-ch'u) and J^ ;j§ (Ch'ou-ch'un). The 

 Pcntsao includes this and Cedt'ela sinenses under the common 

 heading of ;j^ |g (Ch'un-ch'u). Although these belong to two 

 distinct orders — the Ailan thus to the Sunarubacecs and the 

 Cedrela to the RiUacece — it is well known that there is a strong 



