Siu Tsung Yuen answered an inquirer, saying: “The Kiao-Lung ascends to the heavenly fountain. He pervades the six regions (North, South, East, West, Above, Below). He moistens all things. Shrimps and the leech cannot depart one foot from the water.”
The Shwoh-Wan says: “The Kiao belongs to the dragon species. When a fish attains three thousand six hundred [years ?] it becomes a Kiao; on attaining this much the dragon flies away.” Again, it says: “[Dragons] without horns are Kiao.”
The P’i-Ya says: “The Kiao’s bones are green, and they can bring their heads and tails together and constrict anything; hence they are called Kiao. A popular name for them is ‘the horse’s lasso.’” Another author says the Kiao’s tail has fleshy rings; they are able to compress any creature, and then tear it with the head.
The Shuh-I-Ki says the eye-brows of a Kiao unite, and their uniting is a proof that it is a Kiao.
The Siang-Shu (Book of Physiognomy) says that when the eye-brows unite the epithet Kiao is applied, because the Kiao Shăn has crossed eye-brows.
The Yueh-kiu (Divisions of Seasons) says that the season of autumn is unfavourable to the Kiao.
The Kia-Yü (Family Discourses) says that if a stream contains fish, then no Kiao will stay in it.
Hwai-nan-tsze says that no two Kiao will dwell in one pool.
The Shan-Hai-King says the Kiao is like a dragon and snake, with a small head and fine neck. The neck has white ornamentations on it. The girth (?) is five cubits; the eggs of the capacity of three catties; and it can swallow a man.