VEGETABLE KINGDOM. 343 



and if taken for a year will preserve the black color of the 

 hair and moustache ; that at a hundred years is as large as 

 a bowl, is called "hill-brother" [\\] If), and if taken for one 

 year, a rubicund and cheerful countenance will be preserved ; 

 that at a hundred and fifty years is as large as a basin, is 

 called "hill uncle" (ll] fg), and if taken for one year the 

 teeth will fall out and come afresh ; that at two hundred years 

 is the size of a one peck ozier basket, is called "hill father" 

 (ill m)i ^^^^ if taken for a year the countenance will become 

 like that of a youth, and the gait will equal that of a running 

 horse ; and that at three hundred years is the size of a three 

 peck ozier basket, is called "mountain spirit" ([1] jf^), has a 

 pure ethereal substance, and if taken for some time, one be- 

 comes an earthly immortal (|^ Jllj). Therefore, wonderful 

 restorative and reviving powers are ascribed to the ordinary 

 root, and it is also prescribed in tumors, piles, post-partum 

 and menstrual difficulties, colds, and diarrhceas. Its use is 

 also said to promote fertility. It is commonly sold in flat, 

 oblong or round pieces, often of a very irregular shape and 

 thickness, their outline being for the most part crenated, 

 showing a tendency to the distribution of the vascular tissue 

 into five concentric portions around the central mass. The 

 cuticle is shrivelled, and of a dark, reddish-brown color, and 

 the interior woody structure is of a rufous tint. The taste is 

 rough and bitterish. The stalk and leaves are used in decoc- 

 tion in scabious and itching skin diseases. 



Faber also identifies ^^ M ^ (She-chien-ts'ao) as Poly- 

 gomiui multifloi'um, but this cannot be confirmed from other 

 observers. It is described in a different volume of the Pentsao 

 from the last, is said to have leaves like the Colocasia^ and red- 

 jointed stems. Snakes are said to avoid the plant. The root 

 and leaves are bruised and applied to snake and scorpion bites. 

 If they are proving efficacious, the wound will discbarge a 

 yellow serum. 



POLYGONUM ORIENTATE. —|E % (Hung-ts'ao). 

 There are said to be two kinds of this plant, that growing on 

 dry ground and that growing in water ; the latter being called 

 5c ^ (T'ien-liao). But this is Polygomim aniphibiuni. The 



