Library

Taohua Shi (Peach Blossom Stone), not recorded in the *Shennong Bencao Jing* (*Classic of Materia Medica*) regarding its place of origin, notes state: it is produced in Zhongshan County, Shenzhou; currently, it is also found in Xinzhou. Its shape is block-like, resembling Chishizhi (Red Kaolin) and Zi Shiying (Fluorite). Its color resembles peach blossoms, lustrous and moist, with a heavy texture; those that do not adhere to the tongue when licked are considered superior. It can be harvested at any time. Tao Hongjing explained Chishizhi (Red Kaolin): "Since their properties are similar, their therapeutic effects will not differ significantly."

Huarui Shi (Flower Stamen Stone), produced in Wenxiang County, Shanzhou. Its body is extremely hard and heavy, its color like sulfur. The blocks can be very large; people use them to carve vessels, but ancient prescriptions did not use this herb. In recent times, it has been calcined together with Liuhuang (Sulfur), ground into powder, and applied externally to metal wounds (*Jinchuang*), with miraculous efficacy. Furthermore, if someone is suddenly injured by a blade and cannot prepare other medicines, simply scraping fine powder from the stone and applying it to the wound is also effective. It can be harvested at any time.

Shanhu (Coral), grows in the South Sea. Notes state: it also comes from Persia and Simzi Country (Lion Country/Sri Lanka). Currently, it is also available in Guangzhou, said to grow on the seabed, branching like trees, bright and lustrous like red jade, mostly hollow with many pores, though some are non-porous; those with more branches are even harder to obtain. It can be harvested at any time. According to the *Haizhong Jing* (*Book of the Sea*), to harvest coral, an iron net is first sunk to the bottom of the water. Coral grows through the net, growing three or two chi tall per year, having branches but no leaves. When the net is hauled up, they are all broken within the net, hence complete specimens are rare. It is unknown if current harvesting methods are indeed as described. In the Jicui Pool of the Han Dynasty, there was a coral one zhang two chi high, with one main stem and three branches, bearing 463 smaller twigs, said to have been presented by Zhao Tuo, King of Nanyue, emitting light and shadows at night. In the Jin Dynasty, Shi Chong's home had coral six or seven chi high. Today, such large specimens are no longer heard of.

Shixie (Stone Crab), produced in the South Sea; currently, it is found in coastal prefectures of Lingnan. Its texture is stony, yet it resembles a crab entirely. Some say it is sea crabs whose foam adheres over many years, transforming into stone, often washed out by tides and winds, where it is collected by humans. Another type enters caves, and after many years, transforms similarly. Ground with vinegar and applied externally to carbuncles and swellings, it can also resolve toxicity from metals and stones. It can be harvested at any time.