56 PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. [aNNO 1713. 



and her sight so perfect, that she could to the last thread a needle, and read 

 small print without glasses. When that flux ceased, she became gouty, and 

 about a year before she died, there arose an aposthumation on one of her wrists, 

 which opened, and discharged much chalky matter, and some stones. The day 

 she died she arose out of bed, and after performing some christian devotions, 

 expired. She was never sick before the haemorrhoidal flux stopped, except once 

 at Exeter, where she was born, and then lived, she became infected with what 

 they called the plague ; it ended in a critical abscess in one of the emunctories ; 

 and, which is very strange, during all the time of that sickness, she nursed a 

 male child. 



The Description of a Tartarian Plants called Ginseng;* with an Account of its 

 Virtues, By Father Jartoux, at Pekin, jipril 12, J 711. N° 337, art. 25, 

 p. 237- 



The map of Tartary, which we made by order of the emperor of China, 

 gave us an opportunity of seeing the famous plant ginseng, so much esteemed 

 in China, and so little known in Europe. Towards the end of July, 1709, we 

 arrived at a village not above 4 small leagues from the kingdom of Corea, which 

 is inhabited by those Tartars called Calca tatze. One of these Tartars went and 

 found on the neighbouring mountains, four plants of the ginseng, which he 

 brought us entire in a basket. I took one of them, and drew it, in its exact 

 dimensions, as well as I could. 



The most eminent physicians in China have written whole volumes on the vir- 

 tues and qualities of this plant; and make it an ingredient in almost all remedies 

 which they give to their chief nobility; for it is of too high a price for the com- 

 mon people. They affirm that it is a sovereign remedy for all weaknesses occa- 

 sioned by excessive fatigues, either of body or mind; that it dissolves pituitous 

 humours; that it cures weakness of the lungs, and the pleurisy; that it stops 

 vomitings; that it strengthens the stomach, and helps the appetite; that it 

 disperses fumes or vapours; that it fortifies the breast, and is a remedy for short 

 and weak breathing; that it strengthens the vital spirits, and increases lymph 

 in the blood ; in short, that it is good against dizziness of the head and dimness 

 of sight, and that it prolongs life in old age. 



Nobody can imagine that the Chinese and Tartars would set so high a value 

 on this root, if it did not constantly produce a good effect. Those that are in 

 health often make use of it, to render themselves more vigorous and strong; 

 and I am persuaded that it would prove an excellent medicine in the hands of 



• Panax quinquefoliiini. Linn. 



