（《纲目》）
【释名】天水牛（《纲目》）、八角儿（同上），
时珍曰∶此虫有黑角如八字，似水牛角，故名。亦有一角者
【集解】藏器注∶蛴螬云∶蝎一名蠹，在朽木中，食木心，穿如锥刀，口黑，身长足短，
节慢无毛。至春雨后化为天牛，两角状如水牛（亦有一角者）。色黑，背有白点，上下缘木，
飞腾不远。
时珍曰∶天牛处处有之。大如蝉，黑甲光如漆，甲上有黄白点，甲下有翅能飞。目前有
二黑角甚长，前向如水牛角，能动。其喙黑而扁，如钳甚利，亦似蜈蚣喙。六足在腹，乃诸
树蠹虫所化也。夏月有之，出则主雨。按∶《尔雅》∶ ，啮桑
体有白点，善啮桑树，作孔藏之，江东呼为啮发。此以天牛
水牛诗》云∶两角徒自长，空飞不服箱。为牛竟何益，利吻
大抵在桑树者，即为啮桑尔。一角者，名独角仙。入药，并
【气味】有毒。
【主治】疟疾寒热，小儿急惊风，及疔肿箭镞入肉，去痣靥（时珍）
【发明】时珍曰∶天牛、独角仙，本草不载。宋、金以来，方家时用之。《圣惠》治
小儿急惊风吹鼻定命丹，《宣明方》点身面痣靥芙蓉膏中。俱用独角仙，
不录。蝎化天牛有毒，蛴螬化蝉无毒，又可见蛴螬与蝎之性味良恶也。
【附方】新三。
疔肿恶毒∶透骨膏∶用八角儿（杨柳上者，阴干去壳）四个（如冬月无此，用其窠代之）
，蟾酥半钱，巴豆仁一个，粉霜、雄黄、麝香少许。先以八角儿研如泥，入熔化黄蜡少许，
同众药末和作膏子，密收。每以针刺疮头破出血，用榆条送膏子（麦粒大）入疮中，以雀粪
二
个放疮口。疮回即止，不必再用也。忌冷水。如针破无血，系是着骨疔。即男左女右中指甲
末，刺出血糊药。又无血，即刺足
箭镞入肉∶用天水牛（取一角者），小瓶盛之，入 砂一钱，同水数滴在内。待自然化
水，取滴伤处，即出也。
寒热疟疾∶猪膏丸∶治疟疾发渴，往来不定。腊猪膏二两，独角仙一枚，独头蒜一个，
楼葱一握，五月五日三家粽尖。于五月五日五更时，净处露头赤脚，舌拄上 ，回面向北，
捣一千杵，丸皂子大。每以新绵裹一丸，系臂上，男左女右。（《圣惠》）
【附录】飞生虫《拾遗》 藏器曰∶状如啮发，头上有角
服少许，亦可执之。
时珍曰∶此亦天牛别类也。与 鼠同功，故亦名飞生。
【释名】天水牛（出自《本草纲目》）、八角儿（同上）。
李时珍说：这种虫子有黑色的角，形状像汉字“八”，类似水牛的角，所以得名。也有长一只角的。
【集解】陈藏器注解说：蛴螬（金龟子幼虫）说：蝎（此处指一种蛀木害虫，非节肢动物蝎子）又名蠹，生活在朽木中，啃食木心，钻出的孔洞像锥刀一样，口部黑色，身体长而脚短，行动缓慢且无毛。到了春雨之后化为天牛，长着两只角，形状像水牛（也有一只角的）。颜色黑，背部有白点，在树干上下爬行，飞行距离不远。
李时珍说：天牛到处都有。大小像蝉，黑色的鞘翅光亮如漆，鞘翅上有黄白色的斑点，鞘翅下有翅膀能飞。眼前有两根很长的黑角，向前伸展像水牛角，能够活动。它的口器黑色且扁平，像钳子一样锋利，也像蜈蚣的口器。六只脚长在腹部，这是各种树木蛀虫所化成的。夏季出现，出来时预示着下雨。按：《尔雅》记载：“啮桑，体有白点，善于啃食桑树，打洞藏身，江东地区叫它‘啮发’。”这首诗说：“两角徒然长得长，白白飞翔不服箱。成为牛究竟有什么益处，利吻……”大抵生长在桑树上的，就是啮桑了。一只角的，名叫独角仙。入药使用，均不收录（指前文提到的某些特定分类或用法，此处意指天牛与独角仙虽同属但本草未载，方家自用）。蝎化为天牛有毒，蛴螬化为蝉无毒，这也可见蛴螬与蝎的性味良恶之别。
【气味】有毒。
【主治】疟疾寒热，小儿急惊风，以及疔肿、箭镞刺入肉中，去除痣和酒渣鼻（李时珍补充）。
【发明】李时珍说：天牛、独角仙，本草书籍没有记载。自宋、金以来，医家常用它们。《太平圣惠方》治疗小儿急惊风吹鼻定命丹，《宣明方》点除身上面部痣靥的芙蓉膏中，都使用了独角仙，（但本草书）不予收录。蝎化为天牛有毒，蛴螬化为蝉无毒，这也可以看出蛴螬与蝎的性味好坏不同。
【附方】新编三个。
疔肿恶毒：透骨膏：用八角儿（杨柳树上的，阴干去壳）四个（如果冬天没有这个，用它们的巢穴代替），蟾酥半钱，巴豆仁一个，粉霜、雄黄、麝香少许。先将八角儿研成泥状，加入少许熔化的黄蜡，与众药末混合做成膏剂，密封保存。每次用针刺破疮头出血，用榆条送进膏子（麦粒大小）进入疮口中，在疮口放两个雀粪。疮势消退就停止，不必再用。忌冷水。如果针破后不出血，属于着骨疔。就在男子左手或女子右手中指甲末端，刺出血敷药。如果还是没有血，就刺足……（原文此处似有缺漏，依文意推测为刺足某处，但严格按原文翻译则止于“刺足”）
箭镞入肉：用天水牛（取一只角的），放入小瓶中，加入硇砂一钱，滴入几滴水在里面。等待自然化成水，取水滴在受伤处，箭镞就会出来。
寒热疟疾：猪膏丸：治疗疟疾发作口渴，寒热往来不定。腊月猪脂二两，独角仙一枚，独头蒜一个，楼葱一握，五月五日三家粽尖。在五月五日五更时分，在干净的地方露出头顶赤脚，舌头抵住上颚，面向北方，捣一千杵，制成皂子大小的丸药。每次用新棉包裹一丸，系在手臂上，男子系左臂，女子系右臂。（出自《太平圣惠方》）
【附录】飞生虫《本草拾遗》 陈藏器说：形状像啮发，头上有角，服用少许，也可以捕捉它。
李时珍说：这也是天牛的别类。与鼫鼠（飞鼠）功效相同，所以也叫飞生。
[Names] Tianshui Niu (Water Buffalo Beetle, from *Bencao Gangmu*), Bajiao'er (Eight-Cornered Child, ibid.).
Li Shizhen said: This insect has black horns shaped like the character "Ba" (eight), resembling the horns of a water buffalo, hence the name. There are also some with only one horn.
[Collection and Explanation] Chen Zangqi's annotation states: The Qilao (grub) says: The Xie (here referring to a wood-boring larva, not the arachnid scorpion), also known as Du, lives in rotten wood, eats the heart of the wood, and bores holes like an awn or knife. Its mouth is black, its body is long with short legs, it moves slowly, and has no hair. After the spring rain, it transforms into a Tian Niu (Long-horned Beetle), with two horns shaped like a water buffalo (some have one horn). It is black in color with white spots on its back, climbs up and down trees, and does not fly far.
Li Shizhen said: Tian Niu is found everywhere. It is as large as a cicada, with black elytra (wing covers) shiny as lacquer, having yellow and white spots on the elytra, and wings underneath for flight. In front of its eyes are two very long black horns pointing forward like water buffalo horns, which can move. Its rostrum (mouthpart) is black and flat, sharp like pincers, resembling that of a centipede. Its six legs are on the abdomen. It is transformed from various tree-boring larvae. It appears in summer; its emergence predicts rain. According to the *Erya*: "Niesang [Borer of Mulberry], with white spots on its body, is good at gnawing mulberry trees, making holes to hide in. In Jiangdong, it is called 'Niefai' [Hair-Biter]. This poem says: 'Two horns grow in vain, flying uselessly without carrying loads. What benefit is there in being a bull? With sharp jaws...' Generally, those living on mulberry trees are Niesang. Those with one horn are named Dujiao Xian (Unicorn Beetle). For medicinal use, both are discussed, though not recorded in standard Materia Medica texts." The transformation of Xie into Tian Niu is toxic, while the transformation of Qilao into a cicada is non-toxic; this shows the difference in nature and taste between Qilao and Xie.
[Flavor and Toxicity] Toxic.
[Indications] Malaria with alternating chills and fever, infantile acute convulsive wind (Ji Jing Feng), carbuncles and sores, arrowheads embedded in flesh, and removal of nevi and freckles (added by Li Shizhen).
[Elucidation] Li Shizhen said: Tian Niu and Dujiao Xian are not recorded in the classic Materia Medica. Since the Song and Jin dynasties, medical practitioners have frequently used them. The *Taiping Shenghui Fang* uses Dujiao Xian in the Dingming Dan for treating infantile acute convulsive wind affecting the nose, and the Furong Gao in the *Xuanming Fang* for removing nevi and freckles on the body and face. Both use Dujiao Xian, yet they are not included in the official Materia Medica records. The fact that Xie transforming into Tian Niu is toxic, while Qilao transforming into a cicada is non-toxic, further illustrates the differing natures and flavors of Qilao and Xie.
[Attached Prescriptions] Three new prescriptions.
Carbuncle and severe toxicity: Tougu Gao (Bone-Penetrating Ointment): Use four Bajiao'er (from willow or poplar trees, dried in shade, shells removed) (if unavailable in winter, use their nests instead), half a qian of Chan Su (Toad Venom), one Badou Ren (Kernel of Croton Seed), and a small amount of Fen Shuang (Calomel), Xionghuang (Realgar), and Shexiang (Musk). First, grind the Bajiao'er into a paste, add a small amount of melted beeswax, mix with the other powdered medicines to form an ointment, and store tightly sealed. Each time, prick the head of the sore with a needle until blood appears, insert a grain-sized piece of ointment into the sore using an elm twig, and place two pieces of sparrow droppings at the sore opening. Stop when the swelling subsides; no further application is needed. Avoid cold water. If no blood flows after pricking, it is a Zhegu Ding (Bone-anchored Carbuncle). Prick the tip of the middle fingernail (left hand for males, right hand for females) until blood flows to apply the medicine. If still no blood, prick the foot... [Text incomplete in source].
Arrowhead embedded in flesh: Use one Tian Shui Niu (preferably with one horn), place it in a small bottle, add one qian of Naosha (Ammonium Chloride), and a few drops of water. Wait for it to naturally dissolve into water, then take drops and apply to the wound; the arrowhead will be expelled.
Chills and fever malaria: Zhigao Wan (Pork Fat Pill): Treats malaria with thirst during attacks and irregular alternation of chills and fever. Use two liang of lard from the twelfth lunar month, one Dujiao Xian (Unicorn Beetle), one Dutou Suan (Single-clove Garlic), one handful of Lou Cong (likely a type of wild onion/garlic), and the tips of zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) made by three families on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. On the early morning of the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, stand barefoot with head uncovered in a clean place, press the tongue against the upper palate, face north, and pound for one thousand strokes. Form pills the size of soap seeds. Wrap one pill in new cotton each time and tie it to the arm (left arm for males, right arm for females). (From *Taiping Shenghui Fang*)
[Appendix] Feisheng Chong (Flying Living Insect) from *Bencao Shiyi*. Chen Zangqi said: It resembles Niefai, with horns on its head. A small amount can be taken orally, or it can be caught manually.
Li Shizhen said: This is also a variant category of Tian Niu. It shares the same function as the Shu Shu (flying squirrel), hence also named Feisheng.