236 CHINESE MATERIA MEDICA. 



tions. An extract, called ^ -^ ^ (I-mu-kao), 549, is prepared 

 and used in cases of difficult or complicated labor. 



LEUCOTHOE GRAYANA.— 7JC ^ ^ (Slnii-li-lu). This 

 is a shrub with leaves resembling those of the cherry, but 

 narrower, longer, and much wrinkled. In the fourth moon 

 it bears a small yellow flower, followed by the fruit, which is 

 of the size of a small pea. The taste of this is bitter and acrid, 

 and it is poisonous. It is used in the treatment of itch, ring- 

 worm, and as a general parasiticide. The Chinese name indi- 

 cates that this is regarded as a species of Vei'-atnun growing on 

 moist ground. The root is also said to be used, possibly being 

 in some instances confounded with Veratt'wn root. 



LICHENS.— The characters ^ (T'ai), ff (T'an), and ■% 

 (Hsien) are used to denote these plants, as well as mosses and 

 algae. The different kinds are not clearly distinguished. Most 

 lichens are regarded as cooling, astringent, prophylactic, and 

 anthelmintic. 



LIGUSTRUM LUCIDUM.— ^ ^ (Nli-chen), 913. In 

 the Shan-hai-ching the second character is wrHten |^ (Chen). 

 It is also called ^ ^ (Tung-ch'ing), in reference to its being an 

 evergreen (see Ilex)^ and ||, ^ (La-shu), in reference to the 

 fact that it is the tree most commonly inhabited by the wax 

 insect. This tree, with its evergreen leaves, is regarded as an 

 emblem of chastity; hence the name, *' female chastity." 

 The tree is most commonly known, however, by the 

 last name, "wax tree," because the cultivation of this 

 tree for the production of the white wax is an extensive and 

 profitable business in some parts of China. The similarity 

 of this tree to Ilex pedunculosa is noted by Chinese 

 authors, and the fact that % ^ (Tung-ch'ing) is used 

 as a name for both serves to cause some confusion between 

 these. But it is pointed out that the leaves of the Nil-chhi are 

 oblong, from four to five inches long, and its fruit is black ; 

 whilst the Tioig-cJi'-ing has roundish leaves and red berries. 

 The flowers of these trees are very much alike, those of the 



