“So there is often drought.
“[Commentary.—Because no rain was made above.]
“When there is a drought, the form of the Ying dragon is made, and then there is much rain.
“[Commentary.—Now the false dragon is for this purpose, to influence (the heaven); men are not able to do it.]”
The better printed copies of this work are illustrated with a very truculent-looking dragon with outspread wings. A stone delineation of a dragon with wings forms the ornamentation of the bridge at Nincheang Foo. In the interior of China, it was observed by Mr. Cooper, and is given in his Travels of a Pioneer of Commerce. These are the only cases in China in which I have come across illustrations of dragons with genuine wings. As a rule, the dragon appears to be represented as having the power of translating itself without mechanical agency, sailing among the clouds, or rising from the sea at pleasure.
Fig. 56.—Ping I (Icy Exterminator), A River Divinity (?).
From within the Sea and North. (Shan Hai King.)
