Chapter X

SERPENTS, DRAGONS, FABULOUS ANIMALS, AND MONSTERS.

The Serpent and Universal Legend—Healing Qualities of Serpents’
Flesh—Human Beings assuming Serpent form—British Parallels—The
Fuhkien Snake Story—Serpent Worship and its Temples—Serpents as
River Gods—Precious Stones in the Heads of Serpents—The Snake and
the Butcher’s Block—Dragons and their Serpent Origin—Serpent
Worship in India and China—Five-Clawed Dragons—British
Dragons—Chinese Description of the Dragon—River Dragons—Domestic
Dragon Worship—Ah Tseung and the Bob-tailed Dragon—Chinese Version
of St. George and the Dragon—The Phœnix and Unicorn—The
Blood-yielding Baboon—Sea Serpents and Strange Fish—Mermaids and
their Original Home—Popular Beliefs respecting the Straits of
Hainan, pp. 102–115.