VEGETABLE KINGDOM. 29! 



tions to the skin are very extensively used, although a favor- 

 ite way of treating skin diseases among the Chinese is the 

 medicated bath. One or two special ointments are mentioned 

 among the Plasters (wliich article see). 



OLE A AQUIFOLIA.— Faber gives }^ % (Kou-ku) for 

 this, but in Q,\i\\\d. Kou-ku seems to be//^ji: cormtta (which see). 



OLIBANUM.— H H ^ (Hsiin-lu-hsiang), |L # (Ju- 

 hsiang). See Boswellia. 



ONOCLEA ORIENTAUS.— This is one of the ferns 

 confounded under the name %^ -^ (Kuan-chung). See Nephro- 

 diiim filix mas. 



OPHIOPOGON SPICATUS.— ^ P^ ^ (Mai-men-tung), 

 816. Two species are described, one with large leaves, which 

 is this, and the other with small leaves, which is Ophiopogon 

 japonica. A large number of names are given for this plant, 

 most of which refer to the similarity of its leaves to those of 

 Allium odo7-um. The plant bears blue, globular berries in 

 winter. The root is the part used in medicine, and as it 

 appears in the drug stores, consists of shrivelled, pale yellow, 

 soft, flexible tubers, from one inch to an inch and a half long, 

 tapering at either end and traversed by a central thread-like 

 cord. The taste is sweet and aromatic, and the smell agree- 

 able. It is non-poisonous and is edible. The plant is specially 

 cultivated in the province of Chekiang. The drug has some 

 of the properties of squill^ for whicfh it may be used as a sub- 

 stitute. It is supposed to benefit the dual principles, and is 

 therefore tonic and aphrodisiac, promoting fertility. It assists 

 the memory and promotes the secretion of milk. It is con- 

 sidered as one of the very important remedies. 



OPUNTIA FICUS.— ttli A %. (Hsien-jen-chang). This 

 "fairy palm" is the well known cactus of the plains. It is 

 found in the wilds of Szechuan and Hupeh. It is prescribed, 

 together with licorice, in piles and diarrhoea, and is dried, 

 powdered, and mixed with oil to be applied to favus an 

 children. 



