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Haiwei suoyin 海味索隱 is a book on seafood written during the late Ming period 明 (1368-1644) by Tu Benjun 屠本畯 (1542-1622), who is also known as the author of the Minzhong haicuo shu 閩中海錯疏.
The brief book presents, in a literary shape, information on more than a dozen types of seafood of all kinds. The entries are mostly written in a lyrical pattern and are variously called hymn (song 頌), eulogies (zan 贊), "inscription" (ming 銘), song (ge 歌), notes (jian 箋) or explanations (shuo 說). Some of the entries are accompanied by a kind of "search for the secrets" (suoyin 索隱), i.e., a commentary. In spite of its literary form, the text nonetheless gives scientific information on species and, in some instances, culinary methods (sections Jiangyaozhu zan 江瑤柱贊 on conpoy or dried scallop, Zuixie zan 醉蟹贊 on crabs in wine, and Xiangyu ming 鮝魚銘 on salted fish). Some chapters are more general (Ge you duo zhong 蛤有多種 on clams or Zixie jie 子蟹解 on crabs), while others describe specific species like the blood clam (Tegillarca granosa; Hanzi song 蚶子頌), the yellow clam Pitar crocea (Huangge zan 黃蛤贊), horseshoe crabs (Tachypleus gigas; Hou jian 鱟箋), the razor clam (fam. Solenidae, Cheng zan 蟶贊）or the flathead gray mullet (Mugil cephalus; Ziyu song {虫甾= 鯔}魚頌).
| 鱟箋 | A Note on the Horseshoe Crab |
|---|---|
| 形如覆釜，色如紺碧，血如蔚藍，尾如禿㦸，負如浮圖，行如屈折，眼竅於背，足攅於腹，珠綴於肋，乘風曰帆，聯遊日筏，伏雌曰媚，奇形異狀，莫詳其說。 | Its shape resembles an overturned cauldron, its color like deep azure, its blood like indigo. Its tail is like a blunt spear, its back like a stupa. It moves in a winding, zigzag manner. Its eyes are on its back, its legs clustered under its belly, and its ribs are adorned with beads. It sails with the wind like a boat with a sail, and when they travel together, they form a raft. When the male rests under the female, it appears affectionate. Its strange and unique form defies precise description. |
| 解曰：東海閑行覔釣槎，先生浪道侶魚蝦，急將一甲歸圖畫，始信魚翁舌不差。 | Explanation: In the East Sea, wandering leisurely, searching for fishing spots, a gentleman travelled with fish and shrimp as companions. Hastily capturing this armoured creature, he brought it back to draw it. Only [when you see it with your own eyes] you finally believe that the old fisherman's words were true. |
| 索隱曰：鱟，介屬，口足皆在覆斗之下。每雌負雄，雖風濤不解，故漁必雙得之，以竹編爲一甲鬻焉。《埤雅》云：鱟尾燒之可辟蚊，然蛟螫之輒斃。又㬥之日中，往往無恙，隙光射之卽死，未知其故何也。[...] | The commentary says: The horseshoe crab is a type of shellfish, with its mouth and legs all located under its dome-shaped shell. The female always carries the male on her back, and even in strong winds and waves, they do not separate. Therefore, fishermen always catch them in pairs and weave them together with bamboo ropes to sell them as one unit. The glossary Piya states: Burning the tail of the horseshoe crab can repel mosquitoes, but if a dragon stings it, it will immediately die. Moreover, when exposed to sunlight at noon, it often remains unharmed, but if a ray of light hits it through a gap, it will die immediately. The reason for this is not known. [...] |
| 蟶贊 | Praise of the Razor Clam |
| 其形如淡菜，而其堅也閣閣。其肉如蝦蛤，而其味也泊泊。卽不謂之腥鯖，亦可謂之肉臛。固不尊之爲大嚼，亦可稱之爲細鰐。悠悠獨酌，三嗅而作。 | Its shape is like that of a mussel, yet its shell is sturdily strong. Its flesh resembles that of shrimp or clams, and its flavor is delicately mild. Although it may not be considered as having the fishy taste of mackerel, it could certainly be called a meaty delight. It may not be esteemed as a great feast, but it can surely be appreciated as a fine delicacy. Leisurely sipping alone, one inhales its fragrance three times before indulging. |
The text is found in the series Guangkuaishu 廣快書, Shuofu xu 說郛續, Huangchao baijia xiaoshuo 皇朝百家小說, Wuchao xiaoshuo 五朝小說 and Wuchao xiaoshuo daguan 五朝小說大觀.