78 CHINESE MATERIA MEDICA. 



c. 



C^SALPINIA MINAX. — ;5 jf (Shih-lien\ This is 

 the classification of Hance and Faber. The plant has not 

 been found mentioned in the Pentsao or any other Chinese 

 work consulted. Its seeds appear in the Customs lists (1153) 

 as an article of commerce ; but what their medical uses may 

 be, we have not been able to learn. 



C^SALPINIA PULCHERRIMA. — 1. M. % (Feng- 

 huang-ch'ang), 304, ^ HI, ^ (Chin-feng-hua). The first term 

 is given in the Customs lists for a root that is produced in 

 Kuangtung. The second term is a Japanese identification. 

 The plant has not been found mentioned in the Pentsao, Its 

 medical uses have not been ascertained. 



C^S ALPINIA SAPPAN.— ^ \-% % (Su-fang-mu). This 

 is the tree which furnishes the Sappan wood, Sappan zvood^ or 

 Bukkum wood to commerce. It comes largely from the island 

 of Sumbawa, which belongs to the East Indies lying east of 

 Java. The island also produces the most valuable teak tree, 

 as well as the tamarind. The Chinese name of the wood 

 under consideration, as well as the word sappan, are doubtless 

 derived from the name of this island. The wood also is 

 imported from Siam, Malaysia, and India, and is said to have 

 been grown in Kuangtung and Kuangsi. Its common name 

 is ^ /fv (Su-mu). It contains much gallic and tannic acids, 

 and is an excellent substitute for logwood, although much 

 weaker. An extract may be made from it. The form in which 

 the substance appears in the Customs list is that of a coarse 

 powder or saw dust, called ^ 7fC ^1 (Su-mu-k'ang), 1201. 

 Since it dyes a red color, the Chinese consider that it has a 

 special affinity for the blood. It is therefore prescribed in 

 wounds, hemorrhages, and disturbances of the menstrual 

 function. It is also recommended as a sedative and in fluxes. 



C^SALPINIA SEPIARIA.— g |f (Yiin-shih). This 

 is a climbing shrub, and the Chinese recognise its close 



