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(Recorded in the Middle Category of *Shennong Bencao Jing*)

**[Names]** Shanlongzi (Mountain Dragon Son) (*Bielu*), Quanlong (Spring Dragon) (*Fanlu Zhu*).

Li Shizhen states: This creature lives among mountain rocks and can spit hail to pray for rain, hence its name "Dragon Son." The character for lizard (Xiyi) was originally written as Xiyi. Xu Shen said: The seal script form of the character Yi is pictographic. Lu Tian said: Lizards are good at changing and spitting hail, embodying the meaning of yin-yang separation and change. The name "Zhouyi" (Book of Changes) is likely derived from this. Currently, it is commonly called Zhiposhe (Pig-brother Snake).

**[Collection and Explanation]**
*Bielu* records: Shilongzi grows in valleys, Pingyang streams, and among rocks in Jingzhou. It is collected in May and dried on stones.

Su Baosheng says: It is found everywhere in Xiangzhou, Anzhou, and Shenzhou in southern mountains. It is collected in March, April, August, and September; the internal organs are removed, and it is smoked until dry.

Tao Hongjing says: There are four types: those that are large and purely yellow are called Sheyimou (Snake Doctor Mother), also known as Shejiumu (Snake Aunt Mother), and are not used medicinally. Those similar to Sheyi but smaller with longer tails... [text missing]...

Su Gong says: Longzi is the lizard. Its body is slender and long, with a tail similar to the body. It resembles a snake but has four feet; removing the feet makes it look like a snake. Those with five colors are male and have good medicinal efficacy; those without complete coloration are female and have inferior potency. Sheshi grows in valleys, with a large head and short, small tail, colored greenish-yellow or with white spots. Those growing on house walls, resembling Sheshi, are Shougong (Gecko), also known as Rongyuan. *Erya* uses these terms interchangeably, which is not strictly accurate.

Su Song says: *Erya* considers Rongyuan, Xiyi, ... , and Shougong to be one animal. *Fangyan* considers those in grass as Xiyi, and ... as Shougong, ... . *Zilin* considers Rongyuan to be Sheyi. Based on various accounts, those in ... and Shougong should be considered correct. Medicinal use favors those from grassy marshes.

Li Shizhen says: Previous authors were uncertain. Generally, there are water and land varieties, differing by habitat: mountain rocks, grassy marshes, and house walls. *Benjing* only used Shilong, while later generations only called it Xiyi; they are actually the same thing. Since it grows among mountain rocks, it fits the names Shilong and Shanlong perfectly, distinct from Sheshi in marshes and ... on walls. Su Gong stated Sheshi grows in valleys and identified Shougong as Rongyuan; Su Song advocated using marsh varieties for medicine, which contradicts reality. Taoists praying for rain mistake Shougong for Xiyi, a serious error. I will correct these three below, clarifying the distinctions. The dragon living in mountain rocks is the Xiyi, commonly called Zhiposhe; it resembles a snake but has four feet, with a flat head and long tail, slender body, 7-8 cun long, up to 1-2 chi for larger ones, with fine scales of gold-green color. Males with complete five colors are superior for medicine. Those in marshes are called Sheyi, also Sheshi, Shejiumu, Shuixi, Rongyuan, and colloquially Zhiposhe; named so because it carries herbs to treat snake bites and mates with fish in water. It resembles Shilong but has a large head and short tail, coarse body, greenish-yellow color, sometimes with white spots, and is not used medicinally. Those on walls are called ... , which is Shougong. Smaller than Sheyi, grayish-brown, non-stinging, see detailed entry. Additionally, *Yijian Zhi* records: Liu Juzhong saw ... in the mountains grow 3-4 chi, smooth and greasy like fat. It spat hail like pellets, followed immediately by wind, thunder, and rain/hail.

Chen Cheng says: Someone saw lizards emerging from rocks ... making great noise. People now use them for rain prayers, taking this as the basis.

**[Preparation)**
Li Shizhen says: Ancient prescriptions used酥炙 (butter-fried) or 酒炙 (wine-fried). Only in the prescription for Chuan Shi Lao Zhai Tianling Gai Wan (Heavenly Skull Pill for Consumptive Disease), is the Shixiyi used whole with intestines and stomach, fried 49 times in vinegar. This is an unusual method.

**[Flavor and Properties]** Salty, Cold, slightly toxic.

Xu Zhicai says: Detested by Sulfur (Huangqi), Xuyi, and Mylabris (Banmao).

**[Indications]** Treats Wu Long (five types of urinary obstruction) and evil stagnant qi; promotes urination and unblocks water passages; breaks stone lin (lithiasis) and stops bleeding (from *Benjing*). Contraindicated in pregnancy (Li Shizhen).

**[Elucidation]**
Chen Cheng says: Since lizards can spit hail to pray for rain, they can treat Lin syndrome (dysuria) and promote water passages.

Li Shizhen says: Its main strength is promoting diuresis. Thus, *Qianjin Fang* uses it for Zheng Jie Edema and Shizhu Retained Fluids; it is used for pediatric genital ulcers due to its diuretic effect. Liu Juanzi combined it with Banmao and Didan to treat malignant sores, utilizing its ability to promote urination and detoxify the other two substances.

**[Prescriptions]** Two new prescriptions.

Pediatric Genital Ulcer: Burn one lizard to ash, take with wine (*Waitai Miyao*). Various stubborn sores: Use 3 fried lizards, 30 fried Didan, 40 fried Banmao, powder them, mix with honey to make pills the size of soybeans. Take 2 pills with warm water for cases where other treatments fail (*Liu Juanzi Guiyi Fang*).

Liver
**[Indications]** Missing.

**[Prescription]**
Expel dead fetus: Equal parts lizard liver and snake shed skin, mix evenly with bitter wine (vinegar), rub onto the pregnant woman's umbilicus and sides until warm, causing expulsion (*Taiping Shenghui Fang*).