CHAPTER X

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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.

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