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(Integrated Commentary) Ge Hong stated: There are five categories of Zhi (mushroom-like fungi in traditional Chinese medicine, often associated with immortality), namely Stone, Wood, Grass, Fungus, and Flesh, each comprising nearly a hundred species. The Daoist tradition possesses the "Illustrations of Stone Zhi." Stone Zhi refers to Zhi that resembles stone. It grows on the shores of famous mountains and islands by the sea, specifically in areas with accumulated rocks. Its appearance is fleshy, possessing a head, tail, and four limbs like a living creature, attached to large stones. Those that are red resemble coral; white ones resemble cut fat; black ones resemble *Phytolacca acinosa* (Ze Qi); green ones resemble kingfisher feathers; yellow ones resemble purple gold. All are luminous and translucent. The larger specimens weigh over ten jin, while smaller ones weigh three or four jin. They must be collected after fasting and sacrifices, then pounded into powder for consumption. Among these types are the Seven-Luminance Zhi and Nine-Luminance Zhi, which grow between high mountain cliffs near water. Their shape resembles plates or bowls, with a diameter not exceeding one chi, connected by stems rising three or four cun. Those with seven holes are named Seven-Luminance Zhi, and those with nine holes are named Nine-Luminance Zhi. Their luminescence resembles stars, visible within a distance of one hundred steps at night. They are typically monitored around the Autumn Equinox. Consumed as a powder using a square-inch spoon (Fang Cun Bi), the body immediately feels warm upon ingestion, and the taste is sweet and delicious. If one consumes a full jin, it grants longevity and immortality, enabling night vision.

Jade Fat Zhi grows in mountains where jade is produced. Jade paste flows out and condenses into Zhi over thousands of years. It takes the form of birds or beasts, with colors varying but often resembling dark jade, grey jade, or rock crystal. When obtained, it is pounded into powder and mixed with the juice of *Wuxin Cao* (Herba Glehniae or similar herb known as "Heartless Grass"), turning into liquid almost instantly. Consuming up to one Sheng promotes longevity.

Stone Honey Zhi grows in the stone caves of Mount Shaoshi. Deep valleys there are impassable; one can only observe Stone Honey flowing from above the stone opening into a stone canopy, dripping slowly over time. Consuming one Sheng grants longevity and immortality.

Stone Cinnamon Zhi grows in stone caves, having branches resembling cinnamon trees, but its fruits are made of stone. It stands about one chi tall, is luminous, and has a pungent taste.

Li Shizhen stated: The claims regarding immortals are vague and uncertain; however, the objects they describe do exist. Within the office of the Sub-Intendant of Puding in Guizhou Province, there is an artificial rockery containing a tree whose roots, trunk, and branches are all stone, yet it bears leaves resembling pomegranate leaves, lush and green, and flowers resembling cinnamon flowers, slightly yellow. In the Ding-Si year of the Jiajing era, Qianshi Jiao Xicheng wrote a poem to record this, comparing it to the story of King Kang turning pine wood to stone, but did not know its name. According to Li Shizhen's examination of the "Illustrations" and the text of *Baopuzi*, this is Stone Cinnamon Zhi. By the sea, there are Stone Plums with horizontal and slanting branches, and Stone Cypresses with leaves resembling *Platycladus orientalis* (Cacumen Platycladi), which are also classified as varieties of Stone Cinnamon.

[Therapeutic Actions] Various Zhi, when pounded into powder or dissolved in water and consumed, enable the body to become light and grant longevity and immortality (Ge Hong).