VEGETABLE KINGDOM. 277 



N. 



NANDINA DOMESTIC A.— ^ j^ (Nan-clui), ^ % ^ 

 (Nan-t'ien-chu). This is a berberidaceous shrub, with ever- 

 green leaves and, in the winter time, beautiful red berries, 

 making a good substitute for Christmas holly. The generic 

 name is taken from the sound of the first two characters in the 

 second name given above. Fortune, from the error of suppos- 

 ing that the last character in the Chinese name was fj- (Chu), 

 translated the supposed name ^C ft (T'ien-chn) into '''• Heaven- 

 ly bainboo^^'' a name which the plant still retains among 

 foreigners. But this combination of characters is not found 

 in the Chinese books. The berries are called ^^ '^ (Hou-shu), 

 "monkey beans," by the common people, and the plant also 

 goes by the name of ^^ M^ (Wu-fan-ts'ao), because the leaves 

 are used in preparing a kind of rice congee called J^ ^ (Wu- 

 fan) or 1^ jf^ 1^ (Ch'ing-ching-fan). The shrub grows on 

 the hills, but is also cultivated on account of its glossy, 

 green leaves and red berries, which are much used as winter 

 decorations. Medicinally, the branches and leaves are reputed 

 to check discharges, drive away sleepiness, strengthen the 

 tendons, benefit the breath, prolong life, prevent hunger, and 

 keep off old age. They are also prescribed for colds. The 

 seeds, 883, have about the same virtues, and they are said to 

 strengthen virility and improve the complexion. The congee 

 made with the leaves, as mentioned above, has similar virtues, 

 to which are added the nourishing qualities of the rice. 



NARCISSUS TAZETTA.— 7j»: Jilj (Shui-hsien), ^ ^ ^ 

 j^ (Chin-chan-yin-t'ai). This "water-nymph" is much cul- 

 tivated in China, being found in nearly every home at the 

 New Year's season, growing in specially prepared dishes in 

 which the bulbs are set in clean water among clean pebbles 

 or shells. The fiowers are white or red, with yellow centers, 

 and surmount a greenish white stem ; hence the second name, 

 "golden-bowl-silver-stand." They are exceedingly pleasing, 

 both on account of their beauty and fragrance. The bulbs 

 are used medicinally as a poultice to swellings, and as a 



