VEGETABLE KINGDOM. 223 



The Phitsao says that there is also a red kind, called ^ 1^ 

 (Nai-hua\ but this is the night-bloomi)jg jasmine or NyctantJies 

 arbor tristis, the m?isk flower of eastern India. The roots of 

 the jasmine are said to be very poisonous. A tincture made 

 from them is said to have very powerful sedative, anesthetic, 

 and vulnerary properties. One inch of the root extracted 

 with wine will produce unconsciousness for one day, two inches 

 for two days, three inches for three days, and so on. The 

 bruised flowers of this jasmine are strongly recommended 

 by Dr. Waring (Pharmacopoeia of India, p. 137) as a remedy 

 for arresting milk abscess, or as a galactagogue. 



JATROPHA JANIPHA.— ^ % ^ (Pai-fu-tzii\ This 

 is the identification of Loureiro, whose description agrees very 

 well. The resemblance of the root to that of aconite gives it 

 the Chinese name, but the Phitsao says that this does not 

 indicate any relationship. It seems to have come originally 

 from Korea, but is also found in Manchuria. Porter Smith 

 took it to be an aroid plant, and the Customs lists classify it 

 as a species of Arisisma^ 944. The tuberous, oval, elongated 

 roots sold under this name vary a good deal in size, being 

 from an inch to two inches in length. The epidermis is of a 

 brown color, mottled, withered, and reticulated. The interior 

 is pure white, starchy, and firm in texture. The plant grows 

 in sandy soil, and is evidently slightly poisonous, although but 

 a slight degree of acridity seems to exist in the tubers. The 

 dififerent varieties of South American cassava also vary in this 

 respect ; some retaining more of the poisonous juice than do 

 others. It is said to be useful in apoplexy, aphonia, wry-neck, 

 paralysis, chorea, heat-stroke, and similar diseases. At the 

 present time it is chiefly used as a face powder to remove pock- 

 marks, stains, and pigmentary deposits. 



JUGLANS REGIA.— ]^ ^l (Hu-t'ao), ^ }^ (Hei-t'ao), 

 377) ^ ^I^ ^Ch'iang-t'ao). The seed of this tree was brought 

 to China by General Chang-chien, of the Han dynasty. In 

 the Pintsao its habitat is given as the Tangut country, about 

 Kokonor. The second character in each of the names given 

 refers to the resemblance of the green fruit to the peach. The 



