VEGETABLE KINGDOM. 173 



common kinds, which are Pteris^ Osniunda^ and Jlncetoxicum^ 

 and they will be further discussed under these titles. The 

 young shoots of some kinds are eaten, and a kind of arrow-root 

 is made from the rhizomes, which, after proper washing and 

 cooking, are also eaten, in spite of their bitterness. Of course 

 these things are only used as substitutes for food in times 

 of famine, which is an index of the sad distress of the country 

 at such times. Demulcent, diuretic, soporific, and vulnerary 

 properties are ascribed to these roots. 



FERN and LYCOPODIUM SPORES.— 5^ ^ i<I? (Hai- 

 chin-sha), 344, ft S '^- (Chu-yiien-sui). The fern which pro- 

 duces these spores is found in all of the Yangtse provinces, 

 from Szechuan to the sea. The fern grows in hilly districts 

 in shady places, preferably among trees. Hence the second 

 name above given, "bamboo garden coriander." The product, 

 which is commonly called by the Chinese "golden sea-sand," 

 is an exceedingly light, fine, reddish-brown powder, which 

 burns almost as readily as Lycopodium powder. Its medicinal 

 action is considered to be diuretic, antilithic, and sedative, and 

 it is given in fevers, dysuria, hematuria, and other urinary 

 disorders. It is suggested that it might be used as a substitute 

 for lycopodium powder in pill making. 



FERULA.— M II fA-wei), ^ ]g (A-yii), ^ 1 (Hsiin- 

 ch'ii), P^ # 't/g (Ha-hsi-ni). The Pentsao says that the first 

 character given above is the equivalent of the interjection 

 "Oh !" supposed to be uttered over this stinking gum resin. 

 The second name given is the Persian equivalent, while in 

 India it is called ^ |g (Hsing-ch'u), Sanscrit Hingu ; and 

 another name said to be used in western Asia is ^ ^ (Yang- 

 kuei). The last name given at the head of this article is the 

 Mongolian, or Turkic, equivalent. The countries of Central 

 Asia seem to be the source of supply, but it is said to be found 

 growing also in the Kunlun mountains. As is the case with 

 the European supply, the drug is probably derived from Ferula 

 narthex and Ferula scorodosma^ as well as from other species. 

 A very good description of the drug and its preparation are 

 given in the Pentsao^ where the rarity of the genuine article 



