一切經音義 57.41

57.41

蛇蚖 ('snakes and vipers'; the first character is pronounced with the fanqie 社 + 遮. The second character is pronounced with the fanqie 五 + 官. The Baopuzi says: "There are very many kinds of snakes, but only the 'yuan' snake (蚖蛇) attacks humans with utmost ferocity. One can use a knife to cut away the flesh at the bitten spot and cast it on the ground; the flesh will boil of itself like roasted by fire, and in a short while scorch completely away, allowing the person to survive. If one does not cut it, one will surely die." The Xuanzhong ji says: "The 'yuan' snake is three to four feet long, has four legs, and is shaped like a gecko. Along its spine are needles sharp as knives, extremely poisonous and vicious; when it strikes a person, they die in no more than half a day." The Shanhaijing says: "Its skin can decorate knives and swords; it resembles sharkskin, differing only in coarse and fine texture").