VEGETABLE KINGDOM. 413 



SOLANUM NIGRUM.— 11 ^ (Lung - k'uei). Other 

 names are ^^-^ (T'ien-ch'ieh-tzu), ^ yig^ (T'ien-p'ao-ts'ao), 

 and ^ 5,1 [Ig Hf ;^ (Lao-ya-yen-ching-ts'ao). There is a fair 

 description of this plant, with its small white flowers and black 

 seeds, in the Pentsao. There is some confounding with Sagina 

 viaxwia and Solamini dulcamara^ also with Altliea rosea. 

 The young shoots are eaten, after boiling, and are considered to 

 be corrective, cooling, and tonic to men (virility) and women 

 (menstrual disorders). The stalk, leaves, and root are used 

 in decoction in wounds, cancerous sores, and as an astringent. 

 They are also thought to have diuretic properties. The seeds 

 have about the same properties and uses as the young shoots. 



Another plant is mentioned, called H 3^ (Lung-chu) and 

 "^y J^ (Ch'ih-chn), which is said to be the Liing-k'-jiei with 

 red seeds. It evidently is another species or variety of Solamim 

 nearly allied to SoLaiium )iigrum. The shoots and seeds of 

 this are said to have about the same qualities as those of the 

 Liing-k'^uei^ except that while the latter promotes sleep, this 

 plant promotes wakefulness. 



Another plant mentioned in this connection is -^ >£> ^ -^ 

 (Niu-hsin-ch'ieh-tzii). It grows in the island of Hainan, and 

 it is said that if one fruit is swallowed, the person will quickly 

 die. It is only used for outward applications, and should not 

 be taken internally. There is no description of the plant, but 

 its action may suggest Atropa bclladona.^ Atropa >na?idragora^ 

 or Hyoscyamiis niget\ 



SOLANUM TUBEROvSUM.— i ^ (T'u-yii), ± % 

 (T'u-luan). This is more latterly called 'j^ ^ (Yang-shu), 

 because it has been reintroduced, at least in eastern China, by 

 foreigners. It was known and eaten by the people of the 

 Liang dynasty. Faber calls "^ ^ (Huang-tu), which is given 

 as one of the synonyms for this, Dioscorca japonica. Without 

 doubt there is some confusion in the Chinese books, as one 

 author claims for the tuber emetic properties, while others say 

 it can be freely eaten, and claims that it is very nutritious. 



SOLIDAGO VIRGO-AUREA.~|il ^ ^ :^ (Liu-chi- 

 nu-ts'ao), 739. The identification of this golden rod is Japan- 



