Library

(Tone "Ti". From *Bencao Gangmu*.)
[Correction]
Li Shizhen said: The old annotation is found under the entry for "Fish", now separated out.
[Names] Renyu (Human Fish) (from Tao Hongjing), Haier Yu (Child Fish).
Li Shizhen said: Its sound resembles that of a child, hence these names.
[Collected Explanations] Tao Hongjing said: Renyu is abundant in Qingxi, Linju County, Jingzhou Province. It resembles [the giant salamander] but does not deplete [its fat], and the human fish fat used in Qin Shi Huang's Mausoleum at Lishan refers to this.
Kou Zongshi said: The body of the Ni fish is slightly similar to an otter, with four feet, a heavy belly hanging like a pouch, a slightly purple body, and no scales; it is similar to Tiao and Ju fish. Upon dissection, one finds several small crabs, small fish, and small stones inside.
Li Shizhen said: There are two types of Haier Yu: those living in rivers and lakes resemble Tiao and Ju in color and shape, have wing-like structures under the abdomen resembling feet, and produce a rattling sound from their gills and cheeks, sounding like a baby crying; this is the Renyu.
Another account states they grow long-distance, have white opposing feet, eating them prevents Gu disease (parasitic disease), and can ward off weapons. Considering both accounts, the former aligns with Tao, and the latter with Kou; they are likely the same creature. Nowadays, fishermen catch them, consider them inauspicious, and discard them in surprise, unaware that they are edible. Xu Xuan's *Ji Shen Lu* records: Xie Zhongyu once saw a woman emerging from the water, her lower body entirely fish-like. This was a female Renyu, with red bristles behind her elbow. When asked, she said she was a Renyu.
[Flavor and Toxicity] Sweet, toxic.
[Indications] Eating it treats Jia masses (accumulations) (Tao Hongjing). Prevents Gu disease (Kou Zongshi).

(Tone "Ni". From *Haiyao Bencao Shiyi*.)
[Names] Renyu (Human Fish) (from *Shan Hai Jing*), Ni.
Li Shizhen said: The Ni makes sounds like a child, hence the name. It is the Ni fish capable of climbing trees.
The folk saying "Ni fish climbs the pole" refers to this. It shares the name with whales in the sea but is a different species. People in Shu call it "Ni". The *Yiwu Zhi* records: It has the body of a fish but walks on feet like a shrimp, hence the name.
Some say it is also called Wangwei, which is incorrect; Wangwei is actually the sturgeon.
[Collected Explanations] Su Gong (Zangqi) said: Ni lives in mountain streams. It resembles the Ni, has four feet, a long tail, and can climb trees. During severe droughts, it carries water up the mountain, covers itself with grass leaves, opens its mouth, and when birds come to drink, it sucks them in. Its sound resembles a child crying.
Li Shizhen said: According to Guo Pu: The Ni fish resembles the Ni, has four feet, front feet like a monkey, hind feet like a dog, and sounds like a baby crying; large ones are eight or nine chi long.
It is said to have feet, able to climb trees, sound like an infant, and be edible. *Youyang Zazu* records: People in the Gorge region eat Ni fish by tying them to trees and whipping them until white juice flows out like fig tree sap, before they can be prepared for consumption. Otherwise...
[Flavor and Toxicity] Sweet, toxic.
[Indications] Eating it prevents dementia/idiotic disorders (*Shan Hai Jing*).