VEGETABLE KINGDOM. 265 



of Pcni^ or Foiir-d^clock^ but the description in the Pcntsao 

 does not agree. The second name above given simply refers to 

 its cosmetic uses. Other plants also bear this name in some 

 form (see Basella rtibra and Chenopodhim albtwi). Another 

 name sometimes found used for it is ^ ^^ :^ (Hsi-tsao-hua), 

 because it blooms at the time of day when people usually bathe. 



MOMORDICA CHARANTIA.— ^ JTR (K'u-kua), 628. 

 Also called %W) ^ (Chin-li-chih) and ^ ^ ^ (Lai-p'u-t'ao), 

 from the warty appearance of its fruit. The plant originally 

 came from the countries south of China, but is now grown in 

 the southern provinces. It is likened in appearance to the 

 wild grape vine, but is smaller. The pepo varies from two to 

 five inches in length, is of a green color, and the skin is 

 marked with longitudinal rows of oblong tubercles, with the 

 intervening space crowded with smaller tubercles. In this 

 tuberculated appearance it is likened to the lichee, and from it 

 takes the second and third names given above. When it is ripe 

 it is yellow in color, and it eventually bursts open, exhibiting 

 a beautiful red pulp enclosing the seeds. The pulp is sweet 

 and can be eaten. The seeds are the shape of squash seeds, 

 and are also tuberculated. The fruit is considered to be cool- 

 ing and strengthening. The seeds benefit the breath and 

 invigorate the male principle (p^, Yang). The dried fruit in 

 slices, ^ S 1^ (K'u-kua-kan), 629, and the peduncles, ^ jK. 

 ^ (K'n-kua-ti), 630, are mentioned in the Customs Lists, but 

 they are not spoken of in the Pcntsao. 



MOMORDICA COCHINCHINENSIS.— ;fC ^ ^ (Mu- 

 pieh-tzQ), 872. Also called % ^ (Mu-hsieh). These names 

 refer to the form of the seeds, which are likened to a turtle or 

 crab. The plant is a cucurbitaceous one with a perennial root. 

 It is described as coming up in the spring in the form of a 

 vine or creeper, having a five pointed leaf resembling that of 

 Batatas edttlis^ green and shiny. In the fourth or fifth moon 

 it bears yellow flowers, followed by the fruits, which resemble 

 those of Tricosanthes multiloba^ but larger ; first green in#olor, 

 and when ripe yellowish-red and covered with soft prickles. 

 Each fruit contains from thirty to forty seeds, flat, and of the 



