Abstract:

Leishu about the origins of objects began in the Northern and Southern dynasties, flourished in the Song and Ming Dynasty and came to an end in the Qing dynasty. Such books mainly were edited by private, published and circulated in two ways by single volume or series with its purpose to broaden the horizon and popularize knowledge with the features such as similar names and supplement or cut down. They are not only kind of reference books for seeking the origins of objects, but also show their significant value in studying ancient cultural history and the history of science.