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The discussions by various schools are complete, yet I dare not abandon the meaning from the *Classic of Poetry* (Shijing). I once dissected an ant nest to observe it, and indeed found eggs about half the size of a millet grain, white in color with a slight yellow tint. The larvae carried within were also present; these were cabbage worms, located beneath the eggs, not adhering to them. They were neither leaf-eating insects nor green worms on grass; rather, it seems various insects could lay eggs here. The description by Tao Hongjing is close to the truth. People take this ant nest, grind it into fine powder, mix it with vinegar, and apply it to bee or scorpion stings.

It often inhabits thorny branches, hence also named Jigangzi (Thorn-hard Seed). Grinding the insect juice from within and administering it orally to children treats [text missing].

*Porcellio scaber* (Woodlouse) is a damp-dwelling insect, possessing many legs, its color resembling that of an earthworm, with transverse wrinkled ridges on its back. The larger ones measure three to four *fen* in length. It is found everywhere, particularly under bricks, porcelain, and in damp places, yet its medicinal use is extremely rare.

It often emerges around the time of Major Heat (*Dashu*), transforming through the Qi of the Great Fire, thus shining so brightly. Nowadays, few people use it. Although the *Monthly Ordinances* (*Yueling*) state it transforms from "rotten grass," without a yin and damp environment, it ultimately does not exist.

It is mostly found in old books; silk fabrics left undisturbed for long periods may have them, but not as abundantly as in old paper. Its body is covered with dense powder that falls off when brushed by hand. It also gnaws woolen garments, and its medicinal use is scarce. Its shape somewhat resembles a fish, and its tail bifurcates into two branches; the world uses it to eliminate scars.

Those that die naturally are superior, yet they should also cry out according to the season. This creature is toxic. In the past, someone suffered from abdominal distension; hearing earthworms crying on his body at night, he was instructed to soak in salt water and recovered. At the end of the Chongning era, soldiers in Longzhou stood barefoot under the hall during the hot summer months and were injured by earthworms, eventually dying without rescue. A few days later, another person was poisoned by them. A knowledgeable person advised drinking a cup of salt water first, then soaking the feet in salt water, after which he recovered. When used in medicine now, the soil must be removed, and it should be slightly roasted. If treating Kidney Wind with downward pouring pathogenic factors, it cannot be omitted, and must still be taken with salt water. Wang Jinggong's words, "Soil and grand sacrifices both have flavor, how can earthworms alone be incorruptible?" refer to this.

This insect should begin crying at night after Start of Summer (*Lixia*), which is what the *Monthly Ordinances* call the "crying of the mole cricket." Its sound resembles that of an earthworm; this creature possesses five skills but excels in none.