vp:gktable kingdom. 363 



If]' (Mou). The tree is found in Persia, Nepal, the Himalayas, 

 and North India. In China it is found chiefly in the Yangtse 

 provinces, especially Anhui, where it is largely cultivated ; 

 that from Hsiianclien, in Ningkuo prefecture, being considered 

 the best. The sour fruit is well described in the Pentsao^ and 

 it is sliced and dried, 868, and used in medicine. It is pre- 

 scribed as an astringent in choleraic affections, and is thought 

 to quiet spasm. Digestive, thirst-relieving, and diuretic prop- 

 erties are also ascribed to it. The seeds are prescribed in 

 choleraic troubles, along with warm water, probably for their 

 demulcent properties. The twigs, leaves, bark, and root are 

 used in similar difficulties, presumably as astringents. The 

 flowers are used in cosmetic preparations. 



Another kind of small quince is described under the name 

 of tl 1- (Cha-tzu) or % ^ (Mu-t'ao). The first character 

 refers to CratcEgiis : but in Japan, and probably in China, 

 these terms are applied to Pyrus japonica^ var. pxgrncea 

 i^Cydonia japoniai). They are specially grown in Mengchou, 

 Honan. The color is yellowish, the taste sour, and the fruit 

 is smaller than the ordinary quince. It has a coarse peduncle 

 and core, and the seeds are round. If eaten in excess these 

 fruits are said to injure the teeth and tendons. They are 

 recommended in dysentery, pyrosis, and choleraic affections. 



A third kind is described under the terms ^ |g (Ming- 

 cha), Tf: ^ (Mu-li), and Tf; ^ (Mu-li). This is known in 

 Japan as Pynis chiticnses or Cydo)iia vulgaris. It is a very 

 large quince of a yellow color. The Taoists take the expressed 

 juice of the green fruit and mix it with powdered spikenard 

 and ScropJmlaria root, and make an incense which is said to be 

 very agreeable to the gods. The action of the fruit is considered 

 to be antivinous, resolvent, antacid, and astringent Soaked in 

 oil and used as a bandoline, it "cures" grey or red hair. 



A fourth kind is called \^ \^ (Wen-po). This is a very 

 small variety, and the fruit is often mistaken for that of 

 Cratcsgits. The tree resembles that of Pyrus maliis^ and bears 

 a greenish white flower. Faber calls it Pyrus cydonia^ as it is 

 also called in Japan. The taste is between sweet and sour, and 

 is cooling. It is peptic, carminative, astringent, and antivinous. 

 The bark of the tree is used in ulcers, probably as an astringent. 



