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(From the Song Dynasty *Jiayou Bencao*)

[Names] Manao (Agate), Wenshi (Textured Stone), Moluojialì (Sanskrit term from Buddhist scriptures).
Chen Zangqi stated: It is reddish-rot color, resembling a horse's brain, hence the name; it is also called "Ma Nao Zhu" (Horse Brain Pearl). Hu people claim it is spat out by horses, which is an absurd statement.
Li Shizhen stated: According to *Zengyun*, it belongs to the category of jade. Its texture is interlaced, somewhat resembling a horse's brain, thus named after it. *Shiyi Ji* claims it is transformed from ghost blood, which is even more absurd.

[Collection and Explanation] Chen Zangqi stated: Ma Nao grows among jade stones in Western countries; it is also a type of beautiful stone and a precious treasure. Those brought to China are all made into vessels. It is also produced in Japan. The best quality is that which does not heat up when polished with a grinding wood; if it heats up, it is not genuine.
Kou Zongshi stated: Ma Nao is neither jade nor stone; it constitutes its own category. There are red, white, and black varieties, some with patterns like twisted silk. Westerners use small pieces as ornaments and grind large pieces into vessels.
Li Shizhen stated: Ma Nao comes from various southwestern countries; it is said to become soft and carvable upon contact with natural ash. Cao Zhao's *Ge Gu Lun* states: It is mostly produced in northern regions, Nanfan, and Xifan. It is neither stone nor jade, hard yet brittle, and cannot be scratched by a knife. Pieces containing shapes of humans, birds, or beasts are the most valuable. Gu Jian's *Fuxuan Lu* states: There are many varieties of Ma Nao, produced in both north and south. Large ones can be as big as a dou (a unit of volume); their texture is hard, and processing requires much labor. Southern Ma Nao is produced in Da Shi (Arabia) and other countries, with pure red color and no flaws, suitable for making cups. Northwestern Ma Nao is blue-black; those found in the sandy deserts of Ningxia, Guazhou, Shazhou, and Qiang regions are particularly rare. There is "Bai Zhi Ma Nao" (Cypress Branch Agate) with patterns resembling cypress branches. There is "Jia Tai Ma Nao" (Clad-core Agate), which appears crystal clear white from the front but looks like coagulated blood from the side, exhibiting two colors in one object. "Jie Zi Ma Nao" (Cut-piece Agate) has alternating black and white layers. "He Zi Ma Nao" (Box Agate) is pitch black with a single white line separating it. "Jin Jiang Ma Nao" (Jin River Agate) has colors like brocade; "Chan Si Ma Nao" (Twisted Silk Agate) has red and white threads like silk; these are all premium varieties. "Jiang Shui Ma Nao" (Pond Water Agate) has pale floral patterns; "Jiang Ban Ma Nao" (Soy Sauce Pattern Agate) has purple-red patterns; "Qu [Worm] Ma Nao" has pink flowers; these are all of lower price. Additionally, "Zi Yun Ma Nao" (Purple Cloud Agate) is produced in Hezhou, and "Tu Ma Nao" (Earth Agate) is produced in Yizhou, Shandong, featuring red cloud patterns, twisted silk, or walnut patterns. "Zhu Ye Ma Nao" (Bamboo Leaf Agate) is produced in Huaiyou, with patterns resembling bamboo leaves; these can be used to make tabletops and screens. Small Ma Nao from Yuhuatai in Jinling is only suitable for playthings. Method to test Ma Nao: If it does not heat up when polished with grinding wood, it is genuine.

[Flavor and Toxicity] Pungent, cold, non-toxic.

[Indications] Expels evil influences, treats redness and ulceration of the eyes (Chen Zangqi). Treats eye nebulae (corneal opacity), applied as eye drops at the end of the month (Li Shizhen).