VEGETABLE KINGDOM. I51 



sativa. To Dioscorea japoiiica he assigns the names ^ ^ 

 (Huang-tn) and ^ ^ (T'li-yii). The Phitsao gives the last 

 under a separate article and considers it to be related to 

 Colocasia. It has leaves like those of the bean, and eeg-- 

 shaped tubers, which are the part used in medicine. These 

 have emetic properties, and are used for this purpose in cases 

 of poisoning. The Hankow list mentions a '/^ |1] ^ (Huai- 

 shan-yao), 503, which is said to come from Huaining in Honan, 

 and which it describes as follows : "It occurs in long tuberose 

 roots about a half a foot in length and two inches in circum- 

 ference, and when divested of its rind and the ends are 

 trimmed, it has a perfectly white surface and interior. It is 

 brittle, has no smell, and is tasteless." This does not answer 

 to the description of the tuber of Dioscorea sativa^ and may 

 be Dioscorea japonica or some unnamed species. The Pinisao 

 also gives an article on the capsules or berries of the yam, 

 which it calls ^ f^ -^ (Ling-yii-tsu), mentioning several 

 varieties, and claiming for them stronger medicinal powers 

 than is possessed by the yam itself. Tonic and restorative 

 virtues are ascribed to them. To the tubers of the several 

 kinds of yam mentioned in the Peiitsao are ascribed coolino- 

 and tonic properties. They are said to benefit the spirits, 

 promote flesh, and, wheu taken habitually, brighten the 

 intellect and prolong life. Astringent properties in diarrhoea 

 are also ascribed to them, as well as some virtue in polyuria. 

 As a poultice they are applied in carbuncles, boils, and incipient 

 abscesses. 



DIOSPYROS EMBRYOPTERIS.— 1^ \% (Pei-shih), f^ 

 \% (Ch'i-shih). The Chinese call this the "green persimmon," 

 from the fact that the fruit, when fully ripe, is of a dark 

 yellowish tint. The fruit is of the size of a large plum, 

 or small apple, eight-seeded, and contains a glutinous, very 

 astringent juice. It is said that it cannot be eaten in the 

 unripe state, and that it cannot be dried as other species 

 of persimmon often are. The medicinal properties ascribed 

 to it by the Chinese are somewhat remarkable. It is said 

 to be antifebrile, antivinous, and demulcent. Its astringent 

 properties, which were noted by Dr. Waring, and on account 



