Chen Collection, Middle Volume. Radical: Tree (mù). 8 strokes. Page 515, Entry 04. Pronounced fen. According to the Explaining Graphs and Analyzing Characters (Shuowen Jiezi), it is the name of a tree. According to the Approaches to Etymology (Erya), in the section on trees, the elm is also called white fen. Guo commentary states: The fen-elm produces leaves first, which then bear seeds; its bark is white. Additionally, in the Book of Odes (Shijing), in the section on the Airs of Chen, it is written: At the elm tree by the east gate, with its shade spreading out below. Lu Dian, in the Amplified Observations on Matters (Piya), states: The elm tree has a nature that fans over the ground, such that the five grains do not grow in its shade; people gather there to rest. Also, fen-yu refers to the name of a soil altar. See the note under the character for elm. Also, it is used interchangeably with fen, referring to rafters of a house. In the Rhapsody on the Capital of Wei (Wei Du Fu) by Zuo Si, it is written as fen-liao with interlocking rafters. Ban Gu, in the Rhapsody on the Western Capital (Xi Du Fu), writes it as fen-liao. Verification: In the Approaches to Etymology (Erya), section on trees, the text榆, 白枌 and the Guo commentary stating 榆之先生, 叶却着荚, 皮包白 have been corrected to match the original text as 枌榆先生, 叶却着荚, 皮色白.