102 CHINESE MATERIA MEDICA. 



The character |fi|, however, is usually applied to diflferent 

 species of the Vitex of the natural order of VeT-benacecs. 

 Similarity of foliage and general appearance has again led the 

 Chinese to confound plants of two distinct orders. On account 

 of its beautiful purple flowers, this tree is much cultivated in 

 gardens. The whole tree, including the wood, is beautiful, 

 and adds much to the ornamentation of any place it occupies. 

 The wood and bark are used as medicine. "The kind that 

 is as bitter as gall is the best." They are employed in the 

 treatment of bladder disease, and a decoction is used both 

 internally and as a wash in mad dog bite, intestinal parasites 

 of all kinds, vicious post-partum discharges, bleeding piles, 

 and similar difficulties. 



CHAM^ROPS EXCELS A.— i^ |f (Tsung-lii), \^ 1^ 

 (Ping-lli). It is probable that Chaniisrops fotiinei is either 

 very closely allied to or identical with this. It is also by some 

 referred to the genus Trachycarptis and that of Caryota. This- 

 is one of the coir palms, producing that useful fibre which is 

 made into cordage, clothing, trunks, brushes, and the like. It 

 is found in the south of China, and formerly extended as far 

 north as the Yangtsze. The tree grows to a height of more 

 than thirty feet. The fibrous integument is annually gathered 

 and steeped in water, to separate the fibres for use in manufac- 

 tures. Excellent matting is made from the bark, combined 

 with more or less of the fibre. The large leaves of this palm 

 are made into fans. The young flower buds, which are likened 

 to fish roe and therefore called ^ @ (Tsung-yii), also called 

 ^ ^ (Tsung-sun), are eaten, although by some considered to 

 be more or less deleterious. Steeped in honey and soaked in 

 vinegar, they are used as votive offerings by the Buddhists. 

 The buds, flowers, and seeds (1350) are recommended in 

 fluxes and hemorrhages. The bark is prescribed in similar 

 cases, but as only the ash or charred remains, after incinera- 

 tion, is used, it is probable that its only action would be to 

 check fermentation. 



CHAVICA BETEL.— ^ ^ (Chii-chiang), ± ^ ^ (T'u- 

 pi-po), and the vine is called i^ ^ ± H ]^ (Fu-ya-t'u-Iii- 



