Shen Collection, Middle Volume Radical: Insect (chóng) Xian Kangxi strokes: 11 Page 1080, Entry 03 Pronounced xian. According to Tang Rhymes (Tangyun) and Zheng Rhymes (Zhengyun), the pronunciation is hu tian. According to Rhyme Compilation (Yunhui), the pronunciation is hu qian. Broad Rhymes (Guangyun): Ma xian, an insect. Zhuangzi (Zhuangzi), Autumn Floods chapter: Kui admires the millipede, the millipede admires the snake. Treatise on Miscellaneous Things (Bowuzhi): It has a hundred feet and is also called horse millipede; if it is broken in two, each half continues to move away. Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao): The horse millipede is shaped like an earthworm and is purplish-black. When touched, it curls up like a ring, hence it is also known as a knife-ring. Also, purple xian. Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao): The stone barnacle is also known as purple xian. See the notes for both characters for further details. Also, according to Collected Rhymes (Jiyun), pronounced xuan. The meaning is the same.