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Cheqianzi (Plantaginis Semen), grows in the plains, marshes, hills, and roadsides of Zhen Ding. Now it is found everywhere in the Jianghu region, Huaidian, near the capital, and northern areas. In early spring, seedlings emerge; leaves spread on the ground like the face of a spoon. Those growing for several years can reach over a chi in length, resembling a rat's tail. The flowers are very fine, greenish with a slight reddish hue. The fruits resemble those of Tingli (Descurainiae Semen seu Herba), being dark red-black. Harvested on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, dried in the shade. Nowadays, people harvest the seedlings in May and the fruits in July and August. It is cultivated in household gardens, especially favored in Shu. People in the north take the roots, dry them in the sun, and sell them as Ziwan (Asteris Radix), which is a serious misuse. According to the "Odes of Zhou Nan" in the *Book of Songs*: "Gathering and gathering Fu Yi." The *Erya* states: "Fu Yi is Ma Xi. Ma Xi is Cheqian." Guo Pu says: "The current Cheqian grass has large leaves along the road, long spikes, and prefers growing by the roadside; people in Jiangdong call it Hamayi (Toad's Clothing)." Lu Ji says: "Ma Xi, also known as Cheqian or Dangdao, likes to grow where cattle tracks are, hence the names Cheqian and Dangdao." People in Youzhou call it Niushengcao (Cow Tongue Grass), which can be boiled as a vegetable, very slippery. Its seeds treat difficult childbirth in women. However, people no longer eat its leaves nowadays; its seeds are most commonly used in medicine. Zhujing Wan uses Cheqian and Tusizi (Cuscutae Semen) in equal parts, made into honey pills, taken after meals. This is a miraculous formula from ancient and modern times. Its leaves are now crushed raw by physicians, dissolved in water, and drunk. It is very effective for treating epistaxis.

Ximingzi (Lepidii Semen), grows in the rivers, marshes, and roadsides of Xianyang, and is now found everywhere. The *Erya* states: "Ximing is Daji (Large Shepherd's Purse)." Guo Pu says: "Resembles shepherd's purse but with fine leaves, commonly called Laoqi (Old Shepherd's Purse)." Su Gong also says: "This is Daji." He adds: "However, Ximing tastes pungent, while Daji tastes sweet." Chen Cangqi considers Daji to be Tingli, not Ximing; Ximing is large and flat, whereas Tingli is fine and round; the two substances are different. The *Erya* itself mentions Tingli, called "Yan" (pron Dian). The annotation says: "Fruits and leaves resemble mustard greens, also named Gouqi (Dog Shepherd's Purse)." Generally, both belong to the shepherd's purse category, so many people cannot distinguish them finely, leading to doubt. Harvested in April and May, dried in the sun. It is frequently used in ophthalmic formulas from ancient to modern times. Cui Yuanliang's *Haishang Fang*: For treating eye heat pain and continuous tearing, use one ingredient, Ximingzi, pounded and sifted into powder. Before sleeping, apply into the eyes using copper chopsticks; hot tears and foul matter will discharge, and nevi (pterygium-like growths) will be removed. Applying this for thirty to forty nights is very effective.