蛇谱云∶出三佛齐国,如环,大数围至数十围者,逐兽即疾走,如转车轮于千仞山,兽
入环
脂 服之刀剑不能伤。
珍异药品云∶形如曲 ,长可五、六寸,蟠旋作圈。
治疖毒痈疽良。
湖州府志∶武康山多蝮蛇,名碧飞,大者如围瓮,小亦如杯案,斧首出目锯齿方文而绶
色,
厥雄赤紫,厥雌青黑,色晔 如蜃甲光,目亦如之,山中人谓有目而无视也。春夏布丝草
,人物触丝,激射迅于矢,忽不见已攫肉去矣,杀人至死;霜降丝脆,开商树杪,施吐白涎
,乌鹊下啄,则吞之。惟鹿以为膳,猎获之,前左足扼其腰中,首尾盘绕,右足又趾寸解,
啖无余者。人得而腊之,可入药。凡西北诸山,自余英岭而内,皆是物也。
治风痹蝮伤,人被其啮者,还食其肉则生。
敏按∶湖志所言碧飞,吾杭山乡多有之,土人名方胜板,以其遍身花纹如锦中方胜形,
匾似
板,故名。啮人最毒,惟野猪能食之。土人言冬日蛇蛰地中,野豕嗅其气,辄翻石掘土出而
啖之。蛇性大热,野猪食三条,即能过严冬。纲目蝮虺为二,蝮即方胜板,虺即土锦,俗呼
灰地匾是也。恶风顽痹,非此猛烈积热之性驱之,则肢废者不能复举,殆以毒攻毒之义,想
碧飞或同类而异名者,书此以俟证。
尔雅∶蟒,王蛇 (注∶蛇中最大者,故曰王蛇),今深山处处有之,大小不一,色如
菜花蛇
亦有黑色者,土人名曰乌蟒。捕蛇者有呼蛇法,不拘何种蛇,呼之即
蛇皆围伏不动,听其择取,
惟不敢伤蟒,蟒伤则诸蛇无王,环起嗾人。闻其人云,蟒蛇自有此种,生而皆有王字,故不
论大小也,蟒至则诸毒蛇皆
不敢伤人。
治漏疮 集验∶取蟒油铜锅内熬熟,随将黄蜡入油内搅匀,油纸摊膏贴患处,十余日便
封口
按∶蟒蛇名王字蛇,其首天生有一王字。予于庚子在奉化长桥,见丐者手握此蛇乞钱,
其蛇
亦不甚大,性颇驯良,因以千钱买得纵之。纲目诸蛇独遗此,因急补之。
The *Snake Spectrum* records: This snake originates from the Kingdom of Samboja (Sanfoqi), with a body shaped like a ring, ranging in girth from several *wei* to dozens of *wei*. When chasing prey, it runs swiftly, resembling a wheel rolling down a cliff thousands of ren high. If an animal falls into its coils and consumes its fat, blades and swords cannot injure the human body.
*Rare Medicinal Substances* records: The shape is like a curved bow, approximately five or six cun in length, coiled into a circle. It is effective in treating furuncles, toxic sores, carbuncles, and ulcers.
The *Huzhou Prefecture Gazetteer* records: Wukang Mountain abounds with pit vipers, named "Bi Fei." The large ones are as thick as urns, while the small ones are as wide as cups or tables. Their heads are axe-shaped with protruding eyes; scales have square patterns and a relaxed coloration. Males are crimson-purple, females are cyan-black, shining with luster like nautilus shell armor, including their eyes. Locals believe they have eyes but cannot see. In spring and summer, they spread silk-like grass (referring to shed skin or venomous webbing); if humans or animals touch the threads, they are struck by rapidly projected venom, disappearing instantly having been seized and eaten; this can be fatal. At the time of Frost Descent, the silk becomes brittle; at the tips of trees, they open their mouths to spit white saliva. Magpies and sparrows come down to peck at it, only to be swallowed. Only deer consume it as food. Hunters capture them, pinning the waist with the front left foot, while the head and tail coil around; the right foot's toes split apart, consuming every bit without remainder. Humans dry them to make jerky for medicinal use. In all mountains northwest of the Yu Ying Ridge, such snakes exist. They treat wind-bi syndrome and viper bites; if bitten, eating the viper's meat ensures survival.
Zhao Xuemin notes: The "Bi Fei" mentioned in the local gazetteer is common in the mountain villages of Hangzhou. Locals call it "Fang Sheng Ban" (Square Knot Board) because its whole-body pattern resembles the square knot design on brocade, and its flat shape resembles a board. It is extremely venomous when biting; only wild boars can eat it. Locals say that in winter, when snakes hibernate underground, wild boars smell their scent, turn over stones, dig up soil, and eat them. Snake nature is intensely hot; after eating three snakes, a wild boar can endure severe winter. *Bencao Gangmu* (Compendium of Materia Medica) divides fu and hui into two types: fu is Fang Sheng Ban, and hui is Tu Jin, commonly known as Hui Di Ban. For stubborn bi syndrome caused by evil wind, unless driven out by this intense, accumulating heat property, paralyzed limbs cannot be raised again. This likely embodies the principle of "using poison to attack poison." I speculate Bi Fei may be the same species under a different name. I record this here awaiting verification.
*Erya* records: Python, also known as King Snake (Note: the largest among snakes, hence called King Snake). Now found everywhere in deep mountains, varying in size. Colors resemble the vegetable flower snake (*Dinodon rufozonatum*), and there are also black ones, locally called Black Python. Snare catchers have methods to call snakes; regardless of species, upon calling, snakes gather and lie still, allowing selection. However, they dare not harm pythons. If a python is injured, other snakes lose their king and will surround and incite attacks. It is said that pythons naturally possess this type, born with a "King" character on their heads, regardless of size. When a python appears, all venomous snakes dare not harm people.
Collection of Proven Experiences for Treating Fistulas: Take python oil, boil it thoroughly in a copper pot, then add yellow beeswax into the oil and stir evenly. Spread onto oiled paper to form a plaster, apply to the affected area. Within ten-plus days, the wound will seal shut.
Zhao Xuemin notes: The python is named Wang Zi She (King Character Snake) because a "King" character is naturally formed on its head. In the Gengzi year, at Changqiao in Fenghua, I saw a beggar holding this snake to beg for money. The snake was not very large and had a quite docile temperament, so I bought it for one thousand cash and released it. *Bencao Gangmu* omitted this snake, so I urgently supplement this entry.