Library

[Correction] Transferred from the Mineral Section to this section.
[Names] Sea fan (Hai Shan).
Li Shizhen states: According to *Yunhui*, Chequ is a large shellfish of the sea. The raised ridges on its back resemble the grooves of a chariot wheel, hence the name. The groove of a chariot is called Qu. Liu Ji in *Feixue Lu* says: Sea fan is a shelled creature of the sea. Its shape resembles a fan, and the patterns on its back resemble tiled roofs. It emerges when the tide recedes on the third day of the third lunar month. [Text missing/garbled here] It is called Mopolajialapuo.
[Collected Explanations] Li Fei says:
It is of one kind.
Li Shizhen says: Chequ is a large clam. The large ones are two or three chi long, about one chi wide, and two or three cun thick. The grooves and ridges outside the shell are deep and large like those of an ark shell, with longitudinal patterns resembling tile grooves, without transverse patterns. The inside of the shell is white and lustrous like jade. It is not very expensive.
Su Song says: There is also Chequ in jade, and this clam resembles it. Shen Kuo in *Bi Tan*
uses it to make vessels, with a texture like white jade. Yang Shen in *Danqian Lu* says: Cups made of Chequ, when filled with wine beyond a certain measure, do not overflow. Testing confirms this.
Shell
[Properties and Flavor] Sweet, salty, very cold, non-toxic.
[Indications] Calms the spirit and stabilizes the dwelling; resolves various poisons and insect stings/bites. Mixed in equal parts with Eryngii Concha (Haimao), ground into human milk and taken orally, it is extremely effective ().
[Elucidation] Li Shizhen says: Chequ is likely a larger species of Valvata (Walong), so its functions are similar.

(Shennong Bencao Jing, Lower Grade)
[Names] Beichi (Mingyi Bielu), Baibei (Rihua Bencao)
Li Shizhen says: The character "Bei" is pictographic. The two dots in the middle represent its tooth-like carvings. The two dots below represent its hanging tail. In ancient times, shells were used as currency and tortoise shells as treasures for transactions, with two shells forming a "peng". Now only Yunnan uses them, calling them Hai []. One unit is a "zhuang", four zhuang form a "shou", four shou form a "miao", and five miao form a "suo".
Su Song says: The underside of Bei is white and clean, with carvings like fish teeth, hence the name Beichi.
[Collected Explanations] Mingyi Bielu says: Beizi grows in the pools and marshes of the East Sea. It can be collected at any time.
Tao Hongjing says: It comes from the South Sea. These are small white Beizi, which people use to decorate military uniforms and other items.
[] says: They are extremely abundant in Yunnan and used as currency for trade.
Su Song says: Beizi is the smallest of the shellfish. It also resembles a snail, about one cun long. The color is slightly white with red tints, and there are dark purple-black varieties. Nowadays, they are often strung together for children to play with. People in the North use them to embellish clothes and felt hats. Barbers use them to polish mirrors, and painters use them to burnish objects.
Li Shizhen says: Beizi is a small white shell. Large [ones] open facing each other, with tooth-like carvings like fish teeth. The flesh inside resembles a tadpole, with a head and tail. Thus, Wei Zicai in *Liushu Jingyun* says: Bei is a shelled insect. The back is convex and round, symbolizing the Yang of Heaven. The belly is flat and split
called (phonetic), in water called
white pattern
called Yu
(zhi sound). Also, there was an ancient text *Xiangbei Jing* that was very detailed. Its text
was the auspicious omen of the Three Dynasties, a secret treasure of spiritual wonder. Next is Ying
green ground with green patterns, called Shoubei. Black patterns with yellow drawings, called
insect. Although it cannot extend life and increase longevity, its function in warding off harm is the same. There are those inferior to this, such as Eagle Beak and Cicada Spine, which only dispel dampness and promote urination, without miraculous effects. The large
Beis are like wheels and can brighten the eyes. Nanhai Beis resemble pearls and gravel with white patches, are cold in nature and sweet in flavor, and can stop water-dampness toxicity. Fu Bei makes people less [desirous], avoid close contact with women,
those with half black and half white are so. Zhuo Bei makes people prone to fright, avoid
those are so. Bei makes chil-
dren foolish and women licentious; those with green lips and red noses are so. Bi Bei makes people thieves; those with threads on the spine and hooked lips are heavy when raining and light when clear are so.
Wei Bei makes people strong-willed, able to walk at night and subdue ghosts, demons, and beasts; those that are red and round in the middle are light when raining and heavy when clear are so.
[Processing] [] says: For medicinal use, calcine over fire.
[] says: When using, do not use flower-insect shells; they look similar but are ineffective. Beizi
wash with clear wine, then grind.
[Properties and Flavor] Salty, neutral, toxic.
[Indications] Leucoma (cataracts/opacities), five types of strangury, promotes urinary flow, treats Gui Zhu (wandering pestilence) and Gu poison, abdominal pain with bloody stool (Shennong Bencao Jing).
Treats warm Gui with chills and fever, releases the muscle layer, dissipates nodulated heat (Mingyi Bielu). Calcined and ground, applied to the eyes to remove opacities (Tao Hongjing); treats severe fever in Shanghan (cold damage)
reduces edema due to water qi, treats infant malnutrition with erosion and vomiting of milk (Li Fei). Treats nasal sinusitis with pus and blood, dysentery, male genital ulcers; resolves toxins from spoiled meat, moldy flour,
various poisons, Aconitum ferox poison, and poisoned arrow wounds (Li Shizhen).
[Attached Prescriptions] Three old prescriptions, six new prescriptions.
Flower-like leucoma and eye pain: Beizi 1 liang, calcined and ground into powder, add a little Borneolum Syntheticum (Longnao) to apply to the eyes. If polyps are present, add Talcum (Zhenzhu) powder in equal proportions. (Qianjin Fang)
Nasal sinusitis with pus and blood: Beizi calcined and ground. Take 2 qian with raw wine each time, three times a day.
Obstruction of both urination and defecation: Obstruction causes stifling distension, killing within two to three days. Use three Beichi, Gansui 2 zhu, grind into powder, mix with millet gruel water and take; passage occurs shortly after. (Zhouhou Beiji Fang)
Urinary retention: Two Baihai [], one raw, one calcined,
Genital chancre and sores: Three Baihai [], grind [something] red into powder, apply externally. (Jianbian Danfang)
Food poisoning: Sun Simiao: Hold one Beizi in the mouth to induce vomiting. Shenghui Fang: Treats toxin from spoiled meat, [toxin] from moldy flour, and Aconitum ferox in various
meats
Aconitum ferox poison: Prescription same as above.
Poisoned arrowhead wound: Beichi calcined and ground, take 3 qian with water, three times a day. (Qianjin Fang)