VEGETABLE KINGDOM. 149 



DIANTHUS CHINENSIS.— ;5t't(Shih-clui). This, the 

 common Chinese pink, is not distinguished in the Phitsao 

 from the next, and, in fact, the two are often confounded by 

 observers. 



DIANTHUS SUPERBUS.— ^ ^ (Ch'li-mai), 237. This 

 is the same as DiiDitJius fischeri. The seed resembles wheat, 

 whence the name. The dried flowering plant is sold in 

 the medicine shops, being found in large, yellow bundles. 

 The flowering heads and leaves of these plants are used in 

 medicine, and very remarkable and dissimilar virtues are 

 ascribed to them. The former is said to be diuretic, vul- 

 nerary, abortifacient, to relieve opacities of the cornea, to 

 check post-partum hemorrhage, alleviate fluxes, promote the 

 growth of hair, and is used also in the treatment of gravel, 

 amenorrhoea, and as a resolvent for incipient abscesses. The 

 latter is used in hemorrhoids, bloody diarrhoea, luinbricoid 

 worms, of)hthalmia, as well as in buboes and venereal sores in 

 women. Also such difficulties as bones in the throat, bam- 

 boo splints in the flesh, and wounds with knives or scissors 

 are treated by the internal administration of a decoctiou of 

 this plant. 



DICTAMNUS ALBUS.— ^ W^ (Pai-lisien), 947. This is 

 a white root with a strong odor, which resembles that of the 

 goat ; hence the name, also written ^ f^ (Pai-shan). It is a 

 common plant in Mid-China. It has flowers resembling those 

 of the Althea^ and the root is like a small turnip. The fruit 

 consists of several carpels like the Zanthoxylon^ and is there- 

 fore called ^%^\^ (Chin-ch'iao-erh-chiao), "golden-bird- 

 pepper." The root is the part used in medicine, and to it is 

 ascribed tonic, sedative, antipyretic, and tussic qualities. It is 

 also recommended in post-partum difficulties and the nervous 

 crying of children. 



DIERVILLA VERSICOLOR.— li |1 (Yang-lu). This 

 is the same as Weigela japonica. It is also by the Chi- 

 nese confounded with Deiitsia sieboldiana. It is a shrub, 

 or small tree, used in making hedges, and its seeds are 



