VEGETABLE KINGDOM. 381 



is the shape of a water jar, Pyrus uialiis also has this same 

 Chinese name, as does also Rhododendron sinense. This rose is 

 found everywhere. It bears a white flower, a yellow capsule, 

 and small seeds, which are hairy aijd aromatic. These seeds 

 are carminative, astringent, and diuretic. The flowers are also 

 used in dysentery, and to restore the color of hair. The leaves 

 are famous as a vulnerary remedy. Dried together with the 

 leaves of the mulberry and of Boehmei'ia nivea, and all pow- 

 dered, they form a renowned vulnerary called ^ 4* *"* iii^ ^ 

 (Chiin-chung-i-nien-chin), "a pinch of gold in the army." 

 The root, 169, is anthelmintic, and the bark of the root is 

 astringent, and is used in diarrhoea and menorrhagia. 



ROSA RUGOSA.— li: i% 1^ (Mei-kuei-hua), 834. This 

 is the cultivated species of rose, with red and pink flowers, 

 which is so highly prized by the Chinese. Purple and white 

 varieties are also found. This rose is fragrant, its nature is 

 cooling, its taste is sweet with a slight bitterishness, and it 

 acts especially on the spleen and liver, promoting the circula- 

 tion of the blood. It is prescribed in the form of an extract 

 for heinateniesis, and the flowers are used in all diseases of the 

 liver, to scatter abscesses, and in blood diseases generally. The 

 petals are used as tea, fj: i% :^ (Alei-kuei-ch'a), to soothe the 

 liver. The Atiar of Roses is also said to be called l^ 1% ^ 

 (Mei-kuei-yu), and a scented liquor is called J^ i% ^ (Mei- 

 kuei-lu), ' ^Dew of Roses. ' ' 



ROSMARINUS OFFICINALIS.— 3^ ^ ^ (Mi-tieh- 

 lisiang). This was brought from the bounds of the Roman 

 Empire during the reign of Wenti of the Wei dynasty (452 A. 

 D.). It was valued for its delightful fragrance. It is used to 

 make fine odors, as a perfume, and when burned will drive 

 away demons. Mixed with Pencedannm decursiviun^ it is 

 burned to drive away mosquitoes. 



ROTTLERA JAPONICA.— i$ (Tzu). See Cataipa 

 kcB7npferi and Lindera tzYimu. 



RUBIA CORDIFOLIA.— ii [^ (Ch'ien-ts'ao), 126. A 

 very luxuriant variety of the plant is called f§ (Ch'ien), and 



