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(From *Bencao Gangmu*)
[Names] Diamond drill.
Shizhen said: Its sand can be used to drill jade and repair porcelain, hence it is called "drill".
[Collected Explanations] Shizhen said: Diamond (Jingangshi) originates from various countries of Tianzhu (India) and Xifan (Western Regions). Ge Hong in *Baopuzi* stated: Funan produces diamond, which grows on stones at the bottom of water, resembling stalactites in shape, with a texture similar to Zhiyingshi (Purple Quartz), capable of carving jade. People dive into the water to retrieve it; even striking it with an iron mallet cannot damage it. Only when touched by an antelope horn does it melt like ice. *Danfang Jingyuan* states: Zi Bei Qian (Lead with purple back) can crush diamond.
Zhou Mi in *Qidong Yeyu* stated: Jade carvers use sand from the Ganges River combined with a diamond drill for engraving. The drill resembles mouse droppings, is dark green-black in color, and looks like stone or iron. It is traditionally said to originate from the high mountain peaks of the Western Regions and Uyghur lands, where birds of prey swallow it while feeding, and excrete it in the sandy deserts north of the Yellow River. Whether this is true remains unknown. *Xuanzhong Ji* states: Daqin (Rome) produces diamond, also known as "Jade-Cutting Knife". Large ones are about one chi long, small ones like rice grains, set in rings for carving jade. From these records, diamonds can be very large; Tibetan monks use them as relics of the Buddha's tooth. To distinguish authenticity, heat it until red and quench it in vinegar. If it remains intact without crumbling, it is genuine. If it feels dull, reheat it; upon cooling, it will become sharp again. Thus, in the West, diamond is used as a metaphor for Buddha-nature, and antelope horn for afflictions. *Shizhou Ji* records Kunwu Stone in the flowing sands of the West Sea; processed into swords like iron, shining like crystal, cutting jade like mud. This is also a large variety of diamond. There are also beasts such as Tapir, Tiechi (Iron-biter), and Jiaotu (Cunning Rabbit), all capable of eating iron; their feces can be used to make weapons or cut jade. See details under the Tapir entry in the Beast section.
[Therapeutic Actions] Grind with water and apply the liquid to scalds and burns. Worn as hairpins or pendants to ward off evil spirits and toxic vapors (Shizhen).

(Yin Bian. *Bencao Gangmu*)
[Names] Needle stone.
[Collected Explanations] Shizhen said: According to *Dongshan Jing*, Gaoshi Mountain and Fuli Mountain both produce abundant needle stones. Guo Pu's annotation states: They can be used as Bian needles.
*Suwen: Yifa Fangyi Lun* states: In the eastern regions, land of fish and salt, near the sea and waters, people suffer from sores and abscesses; the appropriate treatment is Bian stone. Hence, Bian stone also originated from the East. Wang Bing's annotation states: Bian stone is like jade and can serve as a needle. Generally, in ancient times, stone was used as needles; in later ages, metal needles replaced stone needles; nowadays, people use ceramic needles to treat diseases, which is also a remnant of the Bian method. However, no one currently recognizes Bian stone; could it be made from Shi [missing character] type stones?
[Therapeutic Actions] Puncture and treat various sores and swellings.
[Appendix] Shi [missing character] Shizhen said: Shi [missing character] originates from Sushen. The locals use dead wood for arrow shafts and green stone for arrowheads, applying poison; those struck die immediately. Shi [missing character] grows in mountains. *Yugong* records that Jingzhou and Liangzhou offered tribute of , which is this stone. Additionally, in Tengzhou in the south, green stone is used to make swords and knives, resembling copper and iron, worn by women as rings. People in Liuli country use stones as knives for farming, over one chi long. All are of this category.