VEGETABLE KINGDOM. 443 



the seeds of a brassicaceous plant. Since it has been grown in 

 Kuangtung, however, it is recognized as being of a diflferent 

 species. The seeds are furrowed and compressed so as to be 

 somewhat angular in shape, and have a peculiar and some- 

 what bitter taste. The beans, which have been in use as a 

 medicine since the time of the Tang dynasty, are usually 

 boiled or parched, and given with lign-aloes, anise-seed, and 

 other substances as a tonic, carminative, arthritic and deob- 

 struent remedy. Renal diseases, hydrocele, hernia and diseases 

 of the hypogastric region are said to be benefitted by this drug. 

 It is especially recommended as a demulcent in diseases of the 

 bladder, and this seems to be a reasonable use for it, as this is 

 practically its only property. 



TRIGONOTIS PEDUNCULARIS.— II ^ if (Chi- 

 ch'ang-ts'ao). Sqlq. Eritrichium pedunculare. The name, Oi?- 

 ch'-ang-ts'^ao is also applied to Mazus riigosus^ which see. 



TRILLIDIUM JAPONICUM.— ^ ^ (Tsao-hsiu). See 

 Paris polyphylla. 



TRISL^RIGATA K^MPFERL— ;& % 1^ (Shih- 

 ch'an-hua). This is Faber's identification. Others make it 

 ^ 4i 1^ (Pi-ch'an-hua), but this is given under the article 

 on Commelyna polygania (which see). 



TRITICUM VULGARE.— >J. ^t (Hsiao-mai). An old 

 name is ^ (Lai), also written ^ (Lai). The character ^ is 

 explained as coming from some place, some say from heaven 

 and some say from another country ; by others still the char- 

 acter is said to resemble the spikelets of the ears of wheat. 

 The learned compiler of the Pentsao gives jjg gi|j |§ (Ka-shih- 

 tso) as the Chinese transliteration of the Sanscrit or Pali name. 

 As a rule, the grain is sown in winter, although a spring crop 

 is occasionally heard of. Wheat is very extensively raised in 

 the provinces of Honan, Shensi, Shansi, Shantung, and Chihli. 

 It is sown broadcast in the north, but in the more southerly 

 provinces where only an inferior grain can be raised, the seed 

 is more thickly sown and produces only a precarious crop. 

 Setting aside the story of the heavenly origin of this grain, it 



