VEGKTABLK KINGDOM. 211 



thirst -relieving properties. The root is also considered to 

 be cooling, and is used medicinally in similar difficulties to 

 those in which the shoot is recommended. Incinerated and 

 mixed with chicken excrement, it is applied to burns. The 

 leaves are said to benefit the five viscera (heart, lungs, liver, 

 stomach, and kidneys). 



The seeds, which in the Choitli were included with the 

 six grains (since reduced to five), have apparently fallen into 

 disuse, and are now gathered only in times of scarcity. They 

 are called ^ ^ (Ku-mi), ^ ^ (Chiao-mi), and ^ ^ (Tiao- 

 hu). They are nearly an inch long, have a grayish cuticle, 

 but a white starchy interior. Tbey were formerly made into 

 cakes and eaten with fish. They also can be used as a 

 substitute for rice. This product is similar to, if not identical 

 with, the Indian rice {Zisania aquatica) of North America, 

 which is much used as food by the American Indians. Its 

 virtues are said to be about the same as those of other parts of 

 the plant. 



HYOSCYAMUS NIGER.— It is probable that this plant 

 is found in China, but identifications are uncertain. Henry 

 found a plant cultivated in a mountain garden in Hupeli which 

 proved to be Hyoscyamus. It was called ^ ^ (Lang-tang), 

 but elsewhere this is Scopolia japonica (which see). Tatarinov 

 gave this identification to |ftlj :^ :j!g (Nao-yang-hua) and i^ ^, S^ 

 (Yaug-chih-chu), but these have later been determined to be 

 Rhododendron^ or possibly Datura. If henbane grows here, 

 its proper name has not yet been found, or it is confounded by 

 the Chinese with other things. It is entirely probable that one 

 or more of the above names is sometimes applied to this 

 plant. 



HYPERICUM CHINENSE.— ^ ^, % (Chin-ssu-ts'ao), ^ 

 ^.\% (Chin-ssu-t'ao). The eliptico-lanceolate leaves, lanceolate 

 sepals, pentafid stigma, and woody, round stem of this beautiful, 

 flowering plant, distinguish it from other species of 6"/. /<9/^«'.y 

 wort. It is frequently used as an ornamental plant. It is 

 credited with astringent and alterative properties, and is also 

 prescribed in miasmatic diseases and snake bite. 



