VEGETABLK KINGDOM. 27I 



is. 3^ (Yuan-i) is a kind of moss which grows on house roofs 

 and stones. In the latter case it is also called ^" ^ ^ (Cli'ing- 

 tai-i). It is prescribed in jaundice, coughs, fever, flatulence, 

 wounds, burns, and nosebleed. It is considered to be tonic, 

 respiratory, and constructive, and is said to improve nutrition 

 and color. 



MUSHROOMS.— A class name for these is ^ i(^ (Chih- 

 erh). Another common name is "^ (Chiin), and still another 

 is ^ (Hsin). Mushrooms growing on hard ground are called 

 1^ (Chiin), those on soft earth are called ^ (Chih), while those 

 growing on wood are called |jjn or j^ (^rh). The ^ (Hsin) is 

 more fleshy than the "^ (Chiin), and is probably referred to 

 Boletus or a fleshy Polyporiis. Some of the mountain varieties 

 are deleterious. Other terms used for mushrooms are ^ (Kai) 

 and ^ (Ku), but these refer to a few specific specimens. ^ 

 (Chih) is defined in the classics as the plant of immortality, 

 and it is therefore always considered to be a felicitous one. It 

 is said to absorb the earthy vapors and to leave a heavenlv 

 atmosphere. For this reason it is called ^ '^ (Ling-chih.) It 

 is large and of a branched form, and probably represents 

 Clavaria or Sparassis. Its form is likened to that of coral. 

 There are very many varieties ; one author says one hundred, 

 but the principal ones are represented by what are known as 

 the -^^ -^ (Liu-chih), or "six mosses;" namely: the ^ '^ 

 (Ch'ing-chih) or §| '£ (Uing-chih) ; the % It (Ch'ih-chih) o'r 

 ^ 2 (Tan-chih) ; the fr j^ (Huang-chih) or ^-^* (Chin-chih) ; 

 the ^ 2 (Pai-chih), ^^ ^y (Yii-chih), or ^ ^ (Su-chih) ; the 

 ^ 2 (Hei-chih) or ^ ji: (Hsiian-chih) ; and the ^ ^£ (Tzii- 

 chih) or /f; ^ (Mu-chih). These are all non-poisonous, edible, 

 and are considered to be highly beneficial. The first comes 

 from Taishan, has a sour taste, brightens the eye, strengthens 

 the liver, quiets the spirits, improves the memory, and prolongs 

 life. The second grows on the Hengshan, has a bitter taste, 

 acts especially on the heart, and has the tonic and quieting 

 properties of the first. The third grows on Sungshan, is of a 

 sweet taste, acts specially on the spleen, and is tonic and con- 

 structive, as in the case of the other two. The fourth grows 

 on Huashan, is of a pungent taste, acts specially on the lungs 



