\r石蚕\pd461.bmp\r
味咸，寒，有毒。主五癃，破石淋，堕胎。
肉 解结气，利水道，除热。一名沙虱。生江汉池泽。
陶隐居云∶李云江左无识此者，谓为草根，其实类虫，形如老蚕，生附石。伧（助庚切）
人得
而食之，味咸而微辛。李之所言有理，但江汉非伧地尔，大都应是生气物，犹如海中蛎蛤辈
，附石生不动，亦皆活物也。今俗用草根黑色多角节，亦似蚕，恐未是实。方家不用沙虱
，自是东间水中细虫。人入水浴，着人略不可见，痛如针刺，挑亦得之。今此名或同尔，非
其
所称也。唐本注云∶石蚕，形似蚕，细小有角节，青黑色。生江汉侧石穴中，岐陇间亦有，
北人不多用，采者遂绝尔。今陇州采送之。臣禹锡等谨按蜀本注∶李云江左无识此者，谓
是草根，生附石间，其实如老蚕。如此则合在草部矣！今既在虫部，又一名沙虱，则是沙石
间
所生者一种虫也。陶云犹如蛎蛤辈，附石而生，近之矣。苏亦未识，而云似蚕，有节，青黑
，生江汉石穴中。此则半似说虫半似草，更云不采遂绝，妄亦甚也。按此虫所在水石间有之
，取以为钩饵者是也。今马湖石间出此最多。彼人好啖之，云咸、微辛。李、苏二说，殆不
足凭也。
图经曰石蚕，生江汉池泽，旧注或以为草根，生石上，似蚕者。或以为生气物，犹如海
中
蛎蛤辈。又《本经》云∶一名沙虱。沙虱自是水中细虫，都无定论。《蜀本草》注云∶此虫
所
在水石间有之，人取以为钩饵。马湖石间出此最多。彼人亦好啖之，云味咸、小辛。今此类
川、广中多有之。草根之似蚕者，亦名石蚕，出福州及信州山石上，四时常有，其苗青，亦
有节，三月采根。焙干。主走注风，散血，止痛。其节亦堪单用，捣筛取末，酒温服之。
衍义曰石蚕，谓之为草则缪矣。《经》言肉解结气，《注》中更辩不定此物在处。有附生
水中石上，作丝茧如钗股，长寸许，以蔽其身，色如泥，蚕在其中，此所以谓之石蚕也。今
方
Shi Can (Stone Silkworm)
Salty in flavor, cold in nature, toxic. Primarily treats five types of Lin syndrome (dysuria or painful, dribbling urination), breaks down Shi Lin (Lin syndrome caused by urinary calculi), and induces abortion.
The meat resolves stagnant Qi, promotes the free flow of water passages, and clears heat. Also known as Sha Li (Sand Leech). Grows in ponds and marshes of the Jianghan region.
Tao Hongjing states: Li Yun claims that people in the Jiangzuo region do not recognize this substance, mistaking it for a root, whereas it is actually similar to an insect, shaped like an old silkworm, growing attached to stones. Crude people obtain it and eat it; its taste is salty with a slight pungency. What Li said has merit, but the Jianghan region is not the land of crude people. Generally, it should be a living organism, similar to oysters and clams in the sea, which grow attached to stones without moving and are indeed living creatures. Currently, the black, multi-jointed root used by common people resembles a silkworm, but it is likely not the true Shi Can. The "Sha Li" not used by medical practitioners refers to fine insects in eastern waters. When people bathe in water, these insects attach to them, barely visible, causing pain like needle pricks; they can be picked off. The current name might be the same, but it does not refer to what Li described. The Commentary on the Tang Bencao states: Shi Can resembles a silkworm, is small with joints, and is dark green-black. It grows in stone crevices beside rivers and lakes in the Jianghan region, and also exists in the Qilong area. People in the north rarely use it, so collectors have ceased gathering it. It is now collected and sent from Longzhou. Ministers Yu Xi et al., according to the commentary in the Shu Bencao: Li Yun claimed that people in Jiangzuo did not recognize it, thinking it was a root growing among stones, actually resembling an old silkworm. If so, it should belong in the Herb section! Since it is now in the Insect section and also called Sha Li, it must be a type of insect generated between sand and stones. Tao stated it is like oysters and clams, growing attached to stones, which is close. Su Gong also did not recognize it, merely saying it resembles a silkworm, has joints, is dark green-black, and grows in stone caves in Jianghan. This description is half about insects and half about grass, and further claims it ceases to exist if not gathered, which is highly absurd. According to records, this insect exists in waters and stones everywhere; those taken as fishing bait are indeed this kind. Currently, the most abundant production is from the stones of Mahu. Locals enjoy eating it, stating the taste is salty and slightly pungent. The theories of Li and Su are hardly reliable.
Tu Jing states that Shi Can grows in the ponds and marshes of Jianghan. Old commentaries either consider it a root growing on stones, resembling a silkworm, or believe it is a living organism, akin to marine mollusks. Additionally, the *Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing* states: Another name is Sha Li. Sha Li is naturally a fine insect in water, yet there is no definitive conclusion. The commentary in *Shu Bencao* states: This insect is found in waters and stones, and people take it as fishing bait. The most abundant production is from the stones of Mahu. Locals also enjoy eating it, describing the taste as salty and slightly pungent. Currently, such items are abundant in Sichuan and Guangdong. Roots resembling silkworms are also called Shi Can, produced on mountain stones in Fuzhou and Xinzhou, available year-round. Its shoots are green and jointed; the roots are harvested in the third lunar month, baked dry. It primarily treats Zou Zhu Feng (wind pathogens wandering unpredictably causing pain), disperses blood stasis, and alleviates pain. Its joints can also be used alone, ground into powder, and taken with warm wine.
Yan Yi states that calling Shi Can a herb is erroneous. The Classic mentions that the meat resolves stagnant Qi. The commentaries fail to clarify where this substance resides. Some grow attached to stones underwater, spinning silk cocoons like hairpins, about one cun long, covering their bodies, colored like mud, with the silkworm inside. This is why it is called Shi Can. Currently, Fang...