148 CHINESE MATERIA MEDICA. 



which doubtless several kinds of these plants, as well as Tritiaim 

 repens are described. It grows upon stones, is sometimes 

 called ^ I^ (Huang-ts'ao\ and is cultivated in Szechuen for 

 use as medicine. It is found in nearly all of the central and 

 southern provinces. An epiphytic variety, found growing 

 upon the root and trunk of oak trees, is called -^ f4 (Mu-hu), 

 and, on account of its yellow color, ^ ^ (Chiu-hu). These 

 plants are all remarkably tenacious of life, recovering after 

 having been dried. Other names by which they appear in 

 commerce are .ft 7f^ M (Kan-mu-hu), 580, «^ ^ ^f (Hsien-hu- 

 tou) 452, and ^ %% (Chin-ch'ai), 145. These all have straight, 

 jointed, solid, cylindrical stems of a yellow or golden color, 

 and often deeply striated or furrowed. Parallel-veined leaves 

 are attached to some of the stems, which commonly have traces 

 of their roots. These stems are said to be quite green when 

 freshly gathered. Under the name of |^ ^ (i\Iai-hu) there is also 

 described a drug which is in all probability the tuber of Tritiaim 

 repens. Hanbury ( Science Papers, p. 262) mentions a drug under 

 the name of \\\ ^ §51 (Hsiao-huan-ch'ai) which is also probably 

 Shih-hiiy although this term is not given in the Pentsao. ■^ ^ 

 ^ (Chin-hu-tou), 152, and ^ ^ (Ya-tou\ i486, are other 

 names by which the drug is known, but why the Bj- is used in 

 the first case does not appear. In the last case it may be a 

 substitute for ^, which is properly written ^. The drug is 

 of a sweetish taste, and is non-poisonous. It is said to have 

 tonic, stomachic, pectoral, and antiphlogistic properties. Two 

 peculiar difficulties for which it is prescribed are entropion and 

 insects in the ear. 



DEUTZIA SIEBLODIANA.— '^ 1% (Sou-su). Identifica- 

 tions are doubtful ; this term being applied in Japan to Deutzia^ 

 Staphylea^ and Philadelpfms. We here follow Faber. Li 

 Shih-chen seems not to have recognized this tree, although he 

 gives what was said about it by older authors. The tree is 

 about ten feet high, and bears reddish berries, similar to the 

 fruit of the Lycitmi. The bark is white, and is the part used 

 in medicine. Its properties are said to be cooling and diuretic. 

 It is prescribed for the thirty-six diseases of the lower abdominal 

 region (f ^%) in women. 



