574 CHINESE MATERIA MEDICA. 



reptile bites, intestinal worms, favus, and internally as an 

 anodyne in colic. A prickly variety, which may be referred to 

 Hvdnum^ is found in Szechnan, and is called ^ ^ (Shu-ko). 

 It is non-poisonous, and is used in the treatment of fevers and 

 menstrual difficulties. One called j^ [^ (Ti-erh) is evidently 

 an auriculariaceous form, as is also that called jg" !|p (Shih- 

 8rh). The former is eaten, and is said to brighten the eye, 

 benefit respiration, and promote fecundity. The latter is also 

 edible, and has all of the good qualities of the ^ (Chih), being 

 also used in the treatment of gravel, and being said to benefit 

 virility. It is specially used in hemorrhage from the bowels 

 and prolapse of the rectum. While the name of this would 

 indicate that it was one of the Auriculariales, the fact that the 

 name ^ ^ (Ling-chih), 731, is also given to it might place it 

 among the Clavariaceae. It is not fully described, so that there 

 is no way in which the matter can be determined except by 

 observation of specimens. 



MYLITTA LAPIDESCENS.— ^ % (Lei-wan), 699. This 

 is one of those growths the nature of which has not yet been 

 accurately determined. Some observers consider it to be the 

 result of one of the parasitic myxomycetes attacking the 

 roots of certain trees, developing in them, and from their sub- 

 stance, these tuberous bodies, as is well known in the case of 

 Ahms in America. In this case the tuber leads an independ- 

 ent, though parasitic, existence. Others regard them to be 

 the result of the mycellium of sorne parasitic fungus penetrat- 

 ing the inner bark of the tree-host, and producing from the 

 tissues of the root itself and the sap of the tree these bodies. 

 In this case the growth is a pathological excrescence. "They 

 occur in the form of small rounded nodules, varying in weight 

 from five grains to nearly a half an ounce. Their exterior 

 surface is of a dark brownish-grey color, and generally finely 

 corrugated ; their inner substance has a granular appearance, 

 is of a pinkish-brown color, and of almost stony hardness. A 

 microscopic section shows that the tissue is divided into areolae, 

 after the manner of that of the truffle and other underground 

 fungi." They have a slight pedicle attached to one or both 

 poles, and are sometimes met with joined together like a roll 



