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a common origin with their equivalents in Greek and Latin. Let us take as an example the common name for the turnip—lo-po (蘿蔔). In China the beet, carrot and other vegetables are all known by this name with certain defining adjectives prefixed. There are several ways of writing the word, but the correct pronunciation is said to be something like lo-po, in the Canton dialect loh-pāk. It is given in the "Shuo-wên" and in the "Urh-ya," the latter having the form lo-pu (蘆萉). There is no hint that the word is not native, but it has a suspicious resemblance to Rapa and the kindred terms in Latin and Greek. The "Pên-ts'ao" and other books give several terms as synonyms of lo-pa, anold one being t'u (葖), which is given in the "Urh-ya." But lo-po was the name used in Ch'in, the state which became predominant.^[1]

Then there is a well-known drug which has long been in use among the Chinese and which is said to have been derived from Persia or some other foreign country. Its name is lu-hui, written 盧會, and these characters in this combination cannot be said to have any meaning. The drug has been identified as the product of an aloe, and it is perhaps possible that lu-hui may stand for the Greek word aloe. This, however, is merely a conjecture, and the correct explanation may be found hereafter.

One of the many good results of the Western learning which the old Jesuit missionaries taught the Chinese was that the latter learned to make maps. They also adopted the Latin word mappa, which they transcribe ma-pa (瑪八), and they still use it occasionally to distinguish a map from a native plan or chart.

Let us pass on to take note of some of the expressions which have passed or are passing into Chinese from European languages. It is only within a comparatively late period that the Chinese have become really acquainted with the nations of Europe and America. But the commercial and political relations which have resulted from this acquaintance have already become of great importance, and China has wisely begun to supply her deficiencies by importing from the West. This is true not only of the material, natural and mechanical, products but also of culture and science.