VEGETABLE KINGDOM. 267 



the plant as found in the orchards of those engaged in sericult- 

 ure. The stalk is stunted and gnarled, while the leaves are 

 large, green, and succulent, round in the south, and lobed in 

 the north. Some of the varieties are indicated by the names 

 1^ ^ (Pai-sang), ^ ^ (Lu-sang), ^f ^ (Chi-sang), -^ ^ (Nii- 

 sang), iLl ^ (Shan-sang), j;^ ^ (Ti-sang), fij ^ (Ching-sang), 

 ^ ^ (Chin-sang), and \% '^ (I-sang). The ]^ ^ (Yen-sang), 

 which is probablj^ identical with ^J -^ (Shan-sang), is Morns 

 indica. The fruits are called ^: (Shen). This character is 

 commonly but wrongly, written |g (Chen) ; and this mistake 

 in writing is made even in the Book of Odes. When the 

 fruits are black-ripe, they are called |^ (Hsiin or T'an). They 

 enter into commerce under the name of -^ '^_ ^ (Sang-shen- 

 tzu), 1066, and are made into a jam called ^ ^ W (Sang- 

 shen-kao), 1065, which is the form in which the fruits are 

 preserved for medicinal use. The bark of the root, ^ ^J!^ ^ J[^ 

 Sang-ken-pai-p'i), 107 1, is also used in medicine. There is 

 a persistent opinion among Chinese observers that any portion 

 of the root which is above ground is poisonous. The drug 

 is considered to be restorative and tonic, and it is prescribed in 

 in weakness, menorrhagia, plithisis, and all sorts of wasting 

 diseases. It is also thought to have anthelmintic and astrin- 

 gent properties. The juice of tlie fresh bark is used in epilepsy 

 in children and in dribbling of saliva. For nervous disorders, 

 the bark from the root extending toward the east is considered 

 especially efficacious. The milky sap of the tree is used in 

 aphthous stomatitis in infants, and in incised wounds, snake, 

 centipede, and spider bites. The fruits are thirst relieving, 

 they benefit the internal organs, promote the circulation of the 

 blood, pacify the soul, energise the spirit, increase mental 

 vigor, and prevent the signs of old age. The juice is anti- 

 vinous, and when itself fermented, benefits the water passages 

 of the body. The leaves, 1073, are considered to be slightly 

 deleterious. Their action is diaphoretic. INIade into strong 

 decoction, they are used for sweating feet, dropsy, and for 

 intestinal disorders. The bruised leaves are used in wounds 

 and insect bites, and are thought to promote the growth of 

 hair. Tlie twigs, 1068, are given about the same properties as 

 the fruit, and they are considered prophylactic against all forms 



