VEGETABLE KINGDOM. 205 



be anodyne and antifebrile, and it is prescribed in angina 

 and sunstroke, and also as a local application in smallpox 

 ulcerations. 



HETEROPOGON CONTORTUS.— t^fe ^ (Ti-cbin), 5^ 

 i^ (Cbien-ken), ±^ ^ (T'u-cbin). This is a grass with a 

 hirsute root. It is nearly related to Imperata arundinaceay 

 both in appearance and in medicinal virtues. The root, shoot, 

 and flowers are all used as a demulcent and antifebrile remedy. 



HIBISCUS ESCULENTUS and HIBISCUS MANIHOT. 

 — H ^ ^ (Huang-shu-k 'uei). The identification of mah^aceous 

 plants is exceedingly uncertain. The Chinese names are often 

 used interchangably for different genera and species, and even 

 for plants of other orders. The descriptions also lack in 

 definiteness, so that it is safe to say that different plants are 

 often confounded. The one under consideration represents one 

 or more edible species, which include that furnishing okra. 

 However, it is sometimes mistaken for Althea rosea. It is 

 grown extensively in China as a garden flower, as well as a 

 vegetable, and it comes up from year to year as a volunteer. 

 It bears a six-celled, conical seed pod, about the size of a 

 thumb, and the seed capsules are arranged spirally in the pod. 

 The seeds are black. The stalk grows to the height of six or 

 seven feet. The bark is used for making rope. The flowers, 

 seeds, and root are all used medicinally, and they are con- 

 sidered to be diuretic and demulcent in their action. They 

 are prescribed in difficult labor, and as a local application to 

 various kinds of sores, wounds, scalds and burns. The root 

 is mucilaginous, and decoctions of this, as well as of the seeds, 

 are used in sizing paper. 



HIBISCUS MUTABILIS.— ^ % % (Mu-fu-jung), also 

 J& ^ ^ (Ti-fu-jung). Other names are given, but are not 

 especially distinctive. The last two characters are usually 

 applied to Nelunibium and Papaver soniniferum^ and are used 

 in this case on account of the resemblance of these flowers to 

 those of the lotus and poppy. This tree grows readily almost 

 everywhere in China. The prevailing color of the flowers is 



