（《拾遗》）
【释名】鼹鼠（音偃）、偃鼠
【集解】弘景注鼹鼠曰∶诸山林中，有兽大如水牛，形似猪，灰赤色，下脚似象，胸前
尾上皆白，有力而钝，亦名隐鼠。人取食之，肉亦似牛，多以作脯。乃云是鼠王，其精溺一
滴落地，辄成一鼠，灾年则多出也。
藏器曰∶此是兽类，非鼠之俦。大如牛而前脚短，皮入 辔用。《庄子》所谓鼹鼠饮河，
不过满腹者。陶言是鼠王，精滴成鼠。遍访山人无其说，亦不能土中行。此乃妄说，陶误信
尔。颂曰∶鼹鼠出沧州及胡中。似牛而鼠首黑足，大者千斤。多伏于水，又能堰水放沫。彼
人食其肉。
时珍曰∶按《异物志》云∶鼠母头脚似鼠，口锐毛苍，大如水牛而畏狗。见则主水灾
。《晋
书》云∶宣城郡出隐鼠，大如牛，形似鼠，脚类象而驴蹄。毛灰赤色，胸前尾上白色。有
力而钝。《金楼子》云∶晋宁县境出大鼠，状如牛，土人谓之偃鼠。时出山游，毛落田间，
悉成小鼠，苗稼尽耗。《梁书》云∶倭国有山鼠如牛，又有大蛇能吞之。据此则隐鼠非无，
而陶说有本；诸家辟之太甚者，未深考耳。又《尔雅》云∶ 身似鼠而马蹄，长须而贼，一
岁千斤，秦人谓之“小驴”者，即此物也。
膏
【主治】痔 恶疮（陶弘景）。
(From *Bencao Shiyi* [Supplement to Materia Medica])
**[Names]** Yan Shu (Mole), also known as Yan Shu.
**[Collected Explanations]** Tao Hongjing commented: In various mountain forests, there is a beast as large as a water buffalo, resembling a pig in shape, with grayish-red fur. Its hind feet resemble those of an elephant, while its chest and the upper part of its tail are white. It is strong but slow-moving, and is also called Yin Shu (Hidden Mouse). People capture it for food; its meat resembles beef and is often made into dried jerky. Some claim it is the "King of Mice," stating that a single drop of its essence falling on the ground instantly transforms into a mouse, and such mice appear in abundance during years of disaster.
Chen Cangqi stated: This is a beast, not belonging to the rat family. It is as large as a cow but has short forelegs, and its hide is used for horse tack decorations. The phrase in *Zhuangzi*, "The mole drinks from the river, yet fills only its belly," refers to this animal. Tao Hongjing claimed it was the King of Mice, capable of generating mice from drops of essence. Having consulted many people living in the mountains, I found no such account, nor can it move through soil. This is a baseless assertion; Tao Hongjing was misled by false information. Su Song said: Yan Shu originates from Cangzhou and Hu regions. It resembles a cow but has a rat-like head and black feet; some weigh up to a thousand jin. They often lurk in water and can build dams to block water flow, producing foam. Locals consume their meat.
Li Shizhen stated: According to *Yiwuzhi* [Records of Strange Things], the female rat has a head and feet like a common mouse, a sharp mouth, and grayish-black fur. It is as large as a water buffalo but fears dogs. Its appearance portends floods. *Jin Shu* [Book of Jin] records that Yin Shu is produced in Xuancheng Commandery, as large as a cow, shaped like a rat, with feet resembling an elephant but hooves like a donkey. The fur is grayish-red, with white patches on the chest and tail. It is strong but sluggish. *Jinlouzi* [Golden Tower Book] records that giant rats are found in Jinning County, resembling cows, locally called Yan Shu. They frequently wander out of the mountains; when their hair falls onto fields, it turns into small mice, devouring all crops. *Liang Shu* [Book of Liang] records that in Wa (Japan), there are mountain rats as large as cows, and giant snakes that can swallow them. Based on these accounts, Yin Shu does exist, and Tao’s statement has a basis; other scholars who refuted it too vehemently failed to conduct deep investigations. Furthermore, *Erya* [Ancient Dictionary] states: An animal with a body like a rat but horse-like hooves, long whiskers, and harmful nature, weighing a thousand jin per year, referred to by Qin people as "Little Donkey," is indeed this creature.
**[Ointment]**
**[Therapeutic Actions]** Treats hemorrhoids and malignant sores (Tao Hongjing).