45^ MEHOJR OK THE 



GlKSENG. 



THIS oriental plant, fo much celebrated, 

 grows in the mountains of Tartary, which 

 border on certain provinces of the Chinefc 

 empire. Its ftem, "which is as thick as that 

 of wheat, and about a foot in height, bears 

 at firft red buttons, which expand each into 

 fix white leaves like thofe of the violet. 

 This knotty root has almoft the figure of 

 the mandragora ; but it is fmaller, tranfpa- 

 rent, and iuterfperfed with fmall black 

 veins, which form two or three branches. 

 It has a fweet tafte, with a flight mixture of 

 biiEcrnefs; ^nd is of an aromatic fmell, 

 which is, far from being difagreeable. Tliis 

 root, in order that it may be preferved, is 

 dried, and then it becomes red on the out* 

 fide, and yeUowifh within. It is fold at a 

 high price J efpecially when it is of a good 



quality. 



