APPENDIX. 471 



the Pejifsao. It is said to have been introduced into China 

 from the country of Fusang (^ ^) by a priest (ff") during the 

 first year of the reign of Kanghsi. It was introduced into 

 Fukien, and the nuts from this province are still regarded as 

 the best, although they are now extensively grown in the 

 Yangtze valley and other parts of China. There are two 

 principal kinds raised in China, that known as the native 

 peanut having a small, rough pod ; but the beans being very 

 sweet and tasty. The other kind, sometimes called the foreign 

 peanut, which may be, and probably is, of later introduction 

 than the other, is larger, and more resembles that grown in 

 the southern United States, although not so large, nor is the 

 plant so prolific. This is probably due to less favorable condi- 

 tions of cultivation. Peanuts are regarded by the Chinese 

 with much favor as an article of diet, and very large quantities 

 are roasted and eaten by all classes of people. They are con- 

 sidered to be nutritive, peptic, demulcent, and pectoral ; in 

 the last case being recommended to be eaten raw. Cases 

 are reported in which those affected with chronic coughs 

 (phthisis ?) have been fully cured by eating one or two ounces 

 of raw peanuts daily for half a year. They are also shelled, 

 crushed, and mixed with meat-broth for this purpose. The 

 oil, ^ ^ ?th (Hua-sheng-yu), is made in many places in China, 

 and is a fair substitute for olive oil. It is laxative and pectoral. 



ARALIA SPINOSA.— ff, Tf; (Ts'ung-mu). This grows 

 in the mountain valleys of central China to the height of more 

 than ten feet. It is the Angelica-tree, and is well described in 

 the Pentsao. The crown leaves are eaten by the people where 

 it grows, and are called P^ |!^ (Wen-t'ou). The tree is also 

 called f.| /fi {Jg (Ch'iao-pu-tao), "the magpie does not perch," 

 on account of the fewness of its branches and its thorny nature. 

 The white bark is used medicinally, and is considered to be 

 slightly poisonous. It is used as a diuretic, and also has 

 sialagogue properties. 



ARDISIA CRISPA.— ^ % j^ (Chu-sha-ken). This 

 "cinnabar-root" grows in the mountains of central China. 

 It has a leaf like Ilex^ but very red on the lower side. The 



