法苑珠林 32.50

32.50

The Bowu zhi states: "Pine resin sinking into the earth for a thousand years transforms into tuckahoe (fuling). Tuckahoe for a thousand years transforms into amber. Amber is also called 'river pearl' (jiangzhu). Nowadays, Mount Tai has tuckahoe but no amber; Yongchang in Yizhou produces amber but no tuckahoe. Some also say that it is made by burning bee nests. It is not clear which of these two explanations is correct." The Shennong bencao jing states: "Take an eggshell whose yolk and white are scrambled together, and boil it thoroughly. While it is still soft, carve it at will into various objects, and soak it in bitter vinegar. After several nights it becomes hard. Coat it with powder inside, and the counterfeit will be confused with the genuine." (This is commonly used in the world, and nothing made from it fails.)