VEGETABLE KINGDOM. 263 



MENTHA ARVENSIS.— ^ ^ (Po-ho). Also written 

 ^ 1^ (Pa-ho) and ^ fg (Fan-ho). The plant grows almost 

 everywhere, but the drug coming from Soochow is regarded as 

 the best. On this account it is called ^ |^ ^ (Wu-pa-ho), ^ 

 being the old name for Soochow. In the south the plant may 

 be confounded with Dryobalanops aroma/ ica., as it is there 

 called f I IM ^ 1^ (Lung-nao-po-ho). Two other species or 

 varieties are mentioned in the Pattsao^ one called i§Q ^ ^ (Hu- 

 pa-lio), and the other ^ ^ 1^ (Shih-po-ho). The latter grows 

 in uplands, and is smaller than the ordinary species, while 

 the former seems to be of foreign origin. Pcppenni)it is 

 cultivated much in gardens, and is used with other vegetables 

 to give flavor. Carminative, antispasmodic, astringent, sudorif- 

 ic, and alexipharmic qualities are ascribed to these plants. 

 They are prescribed in fevers, colds, nervous disorders of 

 children, nosebleed, fluxes, snake and insect bites, and diseases 

 of- the nose and throat. An oil is spoken of in the Customs 

 Lists, 1035, and also menthol^ ^ <^ ^t (Po-ho-ping), 1033, 

 but these are not mentioned in the Paitsao. They are brought 

 from Canton, and are probably of quite modern origin. 



MENYANTHES TRIFOLIATA.— ^ % (Shui-ts'ai). 

 The Chinese point out very clearly the slightly narcotic prop- 

 erties of this plant, both in their description of it and in the 

 various names applied to it. It is also called ^ ^ (Ming-ts'ai), 

 ^^ % (Cho-ts'ai), and ^ [^ (Tsui-ts'ao). It grows in ponds, 

 has a leaf like the MonocJioria hastata^ and a root like that of 

 Nehimbium speciosiivi. The people where it grows pickle it, 

 and use it to promote sleep. Its only medicinal use is as a 

 hypnotic in fevers. 



MERCURIALIS LEIOCARPA.— ^ % % (T'ou-ku- 

 ts'ao). This euphorbiaceous plant is not described in the 

 Chinese books. It is prescribed in all sorts of rheumatic 

 difficulties, contracted tendons, and perspiring feet. Combined 

 with Sophei'a flavescens^ rhubarb, and flowers of sulphur, it is 

 used in a bath in the treatment of obstinate skin eruptions 

 (possibly scabies or ringworm). The patient is directed to 

 remain in a close, hot room, until the perspiration falls like 



