264 CHINESE MATERIA MEDICA. 



rain, and then to bathe in the decoction. It is also recom- 

 mended in combination with other drugs in nausea and vomit- 

 ing, as well as in dropsy. 



METAPLEXIS STAUNTONIL— ^ ^ (Lo-mo), % if 

 (Huan-lan). The fruits of this creeping plant have several 

 fanciful names, such as ^ ^(Chio-p'iao), :^ ^ ^ (Yang-p'o- 

 nai), ^ ^ 1^ ^ H (P'o-p'o-chen-hsien-pao), and ^ ^ §^ g ^ 

 (P'o-p'o-chen-tai-erh). It is a climbing plant, the stalks of 

 which, when broken, exude a white juice. It is cultivated, 

 and the leaves are eaten both raw and cooked. The fruit is 

 green, and from two to four inches long. On account of its 

 shape, it is also called ^ ;^ |j| (Yang-chio-ts'ai). The plant 

 belongs to the natural order Asclepiadacese, and is found in 

 north China, both wild and cultivated. The seeds are the 

 parts used in medicine ; but the virtues of the leaves are con- 

 sidered to be identical. They are thought to be tonic and 

 constructive. The crushed seeds are applied to wounds and 

 ulcers as an astringent and hemostatic remedy. They are 

 also applied to all sorts of insect bites, and if frequently used, 

 are thought to have some escharotic properies. 



MICHELIA CHAMPACA.— Porter Smith gives the fol- 

 lowing characters for the Chinese name of this magnoliaceous 

 tree: gf \% (Chen-po), ^ ^ (Chen-p'o), t5 ^ ^ (Chen-p'o- 

 ka) ; but the source from which he secured these has not been 

 found. From whatever source they may have been derived, 

 they are evidently an attempt to transliterate the Indian name 

 tsjampac^ or tchantpaka. It is said to be found in China, but 

 perhaps is only cultivated here. It has very fragrant yellow 

 flowers, and an edible fruit. Its bark is used, with that of 

 other magnolias, to adulterate cinnamon. It has been used in 

 the Mauritius, with some success, in the treatment of the low 

 intermittent fevers of that island. 



MIRABILIS JALAPA.—^ % ij (Tzu-mo-li), Hi fit 

 (Yei*chih). This is described in the Kuaiig-chiin-fang-pu. 

 The flowers are only used for cosmetic purposes. Faber also 

 gives >Aj ^ # ^ (Huo-t'an-mu-ts^ao) as a name for this Marvel 



