VEGETABLE KINGDOM. 403 



plant Another name given is j^X ^ (Chiang-li), "river 

 sedge ;" bnt these characters, if properly applied to this plant, 

 evidently do not have this meaning. The plant was much 

 cultivated formerly, and may yet be, for its fragrant leaves, 

 which seem to have inspired poets to write about them. 

 These leaves are used in medicine as a tnssic, carminative, 

 nervine, antiseptic, and anthelmintic remedy, and they are 

 prescribed in colds and diarrhoeas. The flowers are used in 

 cosmetic preparations. 



SENECIO CAMPESTRIS.— ^bJ ^ M (Kou-she-ts'ao). 

 This plant grows in Szechuan in moist ground. It has a leaf 

 somewhat resembling that of Plaiitago^ and bears a yellowish- 

 white flower. It is regarded as slightly poisonous, and is only 

 used as a parasiticide in skin diseases and on the clothes. 



SENECIO PALMATUS.— li ^ (Wei-hsien). There 

 are very many species of Senecio in China, and this name prob- 

 ably refers to more than one kind. Other names given are 

 ]^ Hj (Mi-hsien), j^ '^ (Lu-hsien), :^ H ^ (Wu-feng-ts'ao), 

 % i& % (Wu-hsin-ts'ao;, 4j£ ^ (Wu-tien), 5^ g| (Ch'eng-chi), 

 and ^ ^ (Ch'eng-kao). It is said that deer, wlien sick, eat 

 this plant and then recover ; hence the name Lii-hsien. It has 

 hairy leaves, a red stem, and bears yellow flowers. It is said 

 not to move in the wind, but to be self-moving in still air. 

 The stalk and leaves are used in rheumatism, epilepsy, can- 

 cerous sores, and general debility. It is said to prevent concep- 

 tion, and a decoction is employed as a wash for foul sores. 

 The Wei-hsien-ts'^ao is considered to be tonic, and astringent 

 and carminative in diarrhoea. 



SENECIO SCANDENS.— ^ 1. ^ (Ch'ien-li-chi). Also 

 called -f" M :3£ (Ch'ien-li-kuang), 199. The other plant spoken 

 of in the Customs Lists, ;^ _g. BjJ (Chiu-li-ming), 199, is an 

 allied species. Cineraria repanda. But this German ivy is 

 well described in the Pinisao. The flowers, when produced, 

 are yellow, and the seeds seldom come to perfection. The 

 stalk and leaves are regarded as an efficient remedy in eye 

 diseases. The plant is regarded as slightly poisonous (emetic). 



