INTO TH1 FLORA OF CHINA. 
31 
means: three and seven, and is explained by the distribution 
of the leaves. 
After this P. gives some account of Rhubarb , and concludes 
by noticing an aromatic root, called tain cone, brought from 
Sz’ ch'uan and much valued by the Chinese. 
This is, it seems, the tang Tcui of the Pen ts'ao, XIV. a 1. which 
is referred by Tatarinov with ? to Radio) Levistid chinensis. I do not find 
this name in D.C. Prodr. It seems, that the Chinese plant yielding the 
drug tang kui is unknown to botanists. 
In the same letter (l.c. Ill 345.) P. states, that during 18 
years he had accompanied the Emperor Kanghi on all his 
frequent travels. As is known, Kanghi was an enthusiastic 
sportsman. His hunting expeditions were generally directed 
to Southern Mongolia and Manchuria. There were also other 
missionaries, who were associated with Parennin in these 
excursions. He mentions especially Dr. Bourghese and Baudin. 
The latter, a clever apothecary and botanist, had been ordered 
by Kanghi to search in the mountains for Gentian and 
Imperatoria (Masterwort.) in order to prepare the celebrated 
Tlieriaca Andromachi. But Baudin did not succeed in finding 
these plants. 
There is no Masterwort in North China or in Southern Mongolia, but 
as to Oentiana, there are 5 species of it growing in the Peking mountains, 
some of them even employed as medicine by the Chinese. The Chinese 
name for Gentiana is f|f[ j}§f Jjl lung tan ts'ao (dragon’s gall plant.) 
P. gives finally in the same letter a slight sketch of the 
botany of the mountains of Southern Mongolia. Among the 
trees and shrubs there he mentions Oalts of a dwarf size, Fines , 
the Aspen, Rim trees , Hazelnuts, wild Boses. 
The Tartars and Mongols, who inhabit these regions, do not 
cultivate any fruit. There are also very few wild fruits. 
Two of them are worthy of notice. 
The fruit oulana, as the Tartars call it, is of the size of a 
great red cherry and is produced on a little stem, 3 or 4 inches 
high. The other fruit has the appearance of small raisins. It 
is produced in clusters on a fine tree, 25 and more feet in 
height. After the first frost these berries become red and are 
then of an acidulated sweet taste. 
O'olana is the Mongol and Manchurian name for Prunus humilis. Bge , 
frequent in the mountains of North-China and Southern Mongolia. As 
to the other fruit mentioned, it is difficult to say, what is meant, for P. 
gives no native name. Perhaps he saw Sorbus auccuparia. L. 
P. mentions further the following herbaceous plants he met 
with in these mountains; a fine Angelica , JDictamus albus , 
