VEGETABI.E KINGDOM. 209 



HOVENIA DULCIS.— tn ^ (Chih-chii), 129. This is 

 a rhamnaceous tree yielding fruit-like, thickened branches, 

 of a russet color, and filled with a pleasant, yellowish, pear- 

 like pulp, which is cooling and laxative. Near Peking it is 

 miscalled \P^ ^ (Chih-tsao) in imitation of f.| ;j^ ^ (Chi- 

 chao-tzu, which is a common way of saying ^ Jf^ -^ fChi- 

 chu-tzii. In south China it is miscalled f§ jj^ (Chieh-kou), 

 ^ ;j^ (Chi-kou), and t^ |f (Chi-chil) in imitation of its proper 

 name. Other names are ^ -^^ ijl;^ (Mi-chih-kou), ^ J^^ ^ (Mi- 

 ch'ii-lii), Tf: ^ (Mu-mi), 7|C i| (Mu-hsing), and :^ J|!|] J^j (Mu- 

 shan-hu). The names given to the wood are |^ ^ /fc (Pai- 

 shih-mu), ^ §Ji "^^ (Chin-kou-mu), (^ |Jfc (Ping-kung>, and 

 ^ ^3 :Ht (Chiao-chia-chih). The tree is met with in all of 

 the eastern provinces, and probably some of the central and 

 western. It is also found in India and Japan. The real fruits 

 of the tree are small, dry, and pea-like, and are pendent upon 

 the fleshy peduncles, which greatly increase in size at the 

 time of their maturing. They contain a flat, shining, dark- 

 red seed, resembling that of Linum usitaiissimum. The seeds 

 are sold under the name of \^^ \^ ^ (Chih-chii-tzii), 129. 

 Both the fruits and the fleshy peduncles are considered to be 

 antifebrile, laxative, diuretic, and quieting to the stomach. 

 Remarkable antivinous properties are also attributed to them. 

 It is said that after the ingestion of large quantities of alcohol 

 the use of this drug will prevent any intoxicant or poison- 

 ous action. The bark of the tree is used in diseases of the 

 rectum. 



HUMULUS JAPONICUS.— ^ :![ (Lii-ts'ao). This is 

 properly called ^ ]^ (Lei-ts'ao), because the plant is covered 

 with fine prickles which chafe (i^) the skin when they come 

 into contact with it. Another name is ^ !^ [^ (Lai-mei- 

 ts'ao). This is the common wild hop of China and Japan. Its 

 medicinal action is considered to be diuretic, tonic to the 

 genito-urinary organs, and constructive in chronic fluxes. It 

 is prescribed in lithiasis, nocturnal emissions, chronic dysentery, 

 chronic malaria, and typhoid fever. This is one case in which 

 the Chinese have reached about the same conclusions as have 

 been reached by western physicians. 



