Book XVI.
47. Chap. I. Luan-lung [OMITTED].
As a means to attract the rain by the sympathetic action of
similar fluids Tung Chung Shu had put up a clay dragon. Wang
Ch`ung attempts to demonstrate the efficacy of this procedure by
15 arguments and 4 analogies.
48. Chap. II Tsao-hu [OMITTED].
Wang Ch`ung controverts the popular belief that, when men
are devoured by tigers, it is the wickedness of secretaries and minor
officials which causes these disasters.
49. Chap. III. Shang-ch`ung [OMITTED].
The common belief that the eating of the grain by insects
is a consequence of the covetousness of the yamen underlings is
shown to be futile.
*50. Chap. IV. Chiang-jui [OMITTED] (Arguments on Ominous
Creatures).
Wang Ch`ung denies that the literati would be able to recognise
a phœnix or a unicorn, should they appear, nor would they
know a sage either. The phœnix and the unicorn are regarded
as holy animals and as lucky auguries. The old traditions about
their appearance at various times and their shape, which are very
conflicting, are discussed. Wang Ch`ung holds that these animals do
not only appear at the time of universal peace, that as ominous
creatures they are born of a propitious fluid, and do not belong
to a certain species, but may grow from dissimilar parents of a
common species of animals.
