VEGETABLE KINGDOM. 257 



ancient times the K'-iiei was a common food, and was ranked as 

 the first of the five vegetables, but now it is not much eaten. It 

 was then called ^ ^ (Lu-k*uei, ' dew mallow'). Now it is 

 also called ff- ^ (Hua-k'uei), but it is not much cultivated. 

 There are two kinds, distinguished by the color of the stem 

 which is either purple or white. The latter is the best. It 

 has large leaves and small yellow or purple flowers. The 

 kind with very many small flowers is called || gjj! ^ (Ya-chio- 

 k'uei, Muck's-leg mallow'). The fruit is of the size of the 

 end of a finger, and flattened, having a thin skin, and the seeds 

 are light and resemble those of the elm. That sown in the sixth 

 or seventh moon is called j^ ^ (Chiu-k'uei), that sown in the 

 eighth or ninth moon is called ^ ^ (Tung-k'uei), and that 

 sown in the first moon is called ^^^ (Ch'un-k'uei). Thus 

 the plant can be used all the year." The shoots and leaves 

 are eaten, but they are not considered to be very healthful. 

 If eaten raw, they are especially harmful, and the heart of the 

 shoot is positively injurious. If a person who has been bitten 

 by a mad dog, although cured, eats of these, the disease will 

 return. If eaten with garlic, the poisonous action is not so apt 

 to show itself. It is the spleen vegetable, and any advantage 

 accruing from its use is gained by that organ. Its mucil- 

 aginous qualities recommend it as a demulcent in stomach and 

 intestinal troubles. Its use is also said to lubricate the passages, 

 and thus to render labor easy. The ash is used as a styptic in 

 wounds. The decoction is recommended in vermillion and 

 other mineral poisons, and the seeds are similarly used. The 

 root is employed in foul ulcers and as an antilithic, diuretic, 

 and thirst-relieving remedy. It is recommended for difficulties 

 similar to those for which the stalk and leaves are used. 



MANDRAGORA.— ^ % (Lang-tu), 693. This is a doubt- 

 ful identification. The drug seems to be a very ancient one 

 with the Chinese, as it is mentioned in the Shhinicjig Pintsao 

 (XXVIII Century B.C.) as one of the five poisons ; the others 

 being Crotoji tiglmvi^ Veratriim^ Aconitiim^ and cantharides. 

 Ma Chi (X Century) classifies it with the "six old drugs;'* 

 the other five being Ephedra^ orange peel, Pinellia Itiberifcra^ 

 Citrus fusca^ and Boymia rutCBcarpa. There is not much 



