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[Names] Tianshui Niu (Water Buffalo Beetle, from *Bencao Gangmu*), Bajiao'er (Eight-Cornered Child, ibid.).
Li Shizhen said: This insect has black horns shaped like the character "Ba" (eight), resembling the horns of a water buffalo, hence the name. There are also some with only one horn.

[Collection and Explanation] Chen Zangqi's annotation states: The Qilao (grub) says: The Xie (here referring to a wood-boring larva, not the arachnid scorpion), also known as Du, lives in rotten wood, eats the heart of the wood, and bores holes like an awn or knife. Its mouth is black, its body is long with short legs, it moves slowly, and has no hair. After the spring rain, it transforms into a Tian Niu (Long-horned Beetle), with two horns shaped like a water buffalo (some have one horn). It is black in color with white spots on its back, climbs up and down trees, and does not fly far.
Li Shizhen said: Tian Niu is found everywhere. It is as large as a cicada, with black elytra (wing covers) shiny as lacquer, having yellow and white spots on the elytra, and wings underneath for flight. In front of its eyes are two very long black horns pointing forward like water buffalo horns, which can move. Its rostrum (mouthpart) is black and flat, sharp like pincers, resembling that of a centipede. Its six legs are on the abdomen. It is transformed from various tree-boring larvae. It appears in summer; its emergence predicts rain. According to the *Erya*: "Niesang [Borer of Mulberry], with white spots on its body, is good at gnawing mulberry trees, making holes to hide in. In Jiangdong, it is called 'Niefai' [Hair-Biter]. This poem says: 'Two horns grow in vain, flying uselessly without carrying loads. What benefit is there in being a bull? With sharp jaws...' Generally, those living on mulberry trees are Niesang. Those with one horn are named Dujiao Xian (Unicorn Beetle). For medicinal use, both are discussed, though not recorded in standard Materia Medica texts." The transformation of Xie into Tian Niu is toxic, while the transformation of Qilao into a cicada is non-toxic; this shows the difference in nature and taste between Qilao and Xie.

[Flavor and Toxicity] Toxic.

[Indications] Malaria with alternating chills and fever, infantile acute convulsive wind (Ji Jing Feng), carbuncles and sores, arrowheads embedded in flesh, and removal of nevi and freckles (added by Li Shizhen).

[Elucidation] Li Shizhen said: Tian Niu and Dujiao Xian are not recorded in the classic Materia Medica. Since the Song and Jin dynasties, medical practitioners have frequently used them. The *Taiping Shenghui Fang* uses Dujiao Xian in the Dingming Dan for treating infantile acute convulsive wind affecting the nose, and the Furong Gao in the *Xuanming Fang* for removing nevi and freckles on the body and face. Both use Dujiao Xian, yet they are not included in the official Materia Medica records. The fact that Xie transforming into Tian Niu is toxic, while Qilao transforming into a cicada is non-toxic, further illustrates the differing natures and flavors of Qilao and Xie.

[Attached Prescriptions] Three new prescriptions.
Carbuncle and severe toxicity: Tougu Gao (Bone-Penetrating Ointment): Use four Bajiao'er (from willow or poplar trees, dried in shade, shells removed) (if unavailable in winter, use their nests instead), half a qian of Chan Su (Toad Venom), one Badou Ren (Kernel of Croton Seed), and a small amount of Fen Shuang (Calomel), Xionghuang (Realgar), and Shexiang (Musk). First, grind the Bajiao'er into a paste, add a small amount of melted beeswax, mix with the other powdered medicines to form an ointment, and store tightly sealed. Each time, prick the head of the sore with a needle until blood appears, insert a grain-sized piece of ointment into the sore using an elm twig, and place two pieces of sparrow droppings at the sore opening. Stop when the swelling subsides; no further application is needed. Avoid cold water. If no blood flows after pricking, it is a Zhegu Ding (Bone-anchored Carbuncle). Prick the tip of the middle fingernail (left hand for males, right hand for females) until blood flows to apply the medicine. If still no blood, prick the foot... [Text incomplete in source].

Arrowhead embedded in flesh: Use one Tian Shui Niu (preferably with one horn), place it in a small bottle, add one qian of Naosha (Ammonium Chloride), and a few drops of water. Wait for it to naturally dissolve into water, then take drops and apply to the wound; the arrowhead will be expelled.

Chills and fever malaria: Zhigao Wan (Pork Fat Pill): Treats malaria with thirst during attacks and irregular alternation of chills and fever. Use two liang of lard from the twelfth lunar month, one Dujiao Xian (Unicorn Beetle), one Dutou Suan (Single-clove Garlic), one handful of Lou Cong (likely a type of wild onion/garlic), and the tips of zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) made by three families on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. On the early morning of the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, stand barefoot with head uncovered in a clean place, press the tongue against the upper palate, face north, and pound for one thousand strokes. Form pills the size of soap seeds. Wrap one pill in new cotton each time and tie it to the arm (left arm for males, right arm for females). (From *Taiping Shenghui Fang*)

[Appendix] Feisheng Chong (Flying Living Insect) from *Bencao Shiyi*. Chen Zangqi said: It resembles Niefai, with horns on its head. A small amount can be taken orally, or it can be caught manually.
Li Shizhen said: This is also a variant category of Tian Niu. It shares the same function as the Shu Shu (flying squirrel), hence also named Feisheng.