312 _D.J. Macgowan on the Eagre of the T'sien-Tang. a. 
_ Despite tle superstitions of the populace, which had the 
tion of government, there have been philosophical minds, who, — 
without discarding popular myths, speculate on the natural catise 
of the phenomenon, and propound theories for its explanation. 
From a summary of these, contained in the Topography of the 
Prefetture, the following, having reference also to tides in general, 
have been selected :— 
Ist, A consequence of the contracting and expanding of the 
Spring of. Nature. « © 8 
2nd, An enormous Pereetmeonienine into and emerging from 
oceanic caverns causes theiriebb and flow. * 
3d, The Budhist theorys*which attributes them to the trans- 
formations of the Divine Dragon. * = : 
th, A consequence of the Sun rising out of the ocean. 
ay. 
n ae 
7th, From the phases of the Moon. According to Plutarch, 
Pytheas of Marseilles first ascribed tidal oscillation to this or 
ter. 
8th, Pulsation of the Earth’s blood—wa 
conscious, than persons in a boat are of the tides. In confirma-_ 
tion and illustration of this theory, the fact is adduced, of the 
rise and fall of the pilous surface of the dried skins of certain 
sea animals simultaneously with the tide! 
By others, the reciprocal action of the dual powers was referred 
to, as explaining all tidal phenomena. One, like Pliny, says the 
sun and moon draw the waters after them. 
Some, however, more shrewd than the rest, sought for the cause 
of the peculiar tides of the Tsien-tang, ia the configuration of its 
embouchure, an idea which is combatted by another writer as un- 
tenable, because the Ningpo and Chang-ngo river present the same 
features (which is a mistake), and have ne Eagre. It is owing, 
says this author, to the greater quantity of water which comes 
into that river. The learned adhere to one or the other of these 
theories, the populace to that of the serpent, all classes believing. 
that the gods already named are actively concerned in the matter. 
It should be remembered that until Newton cleared up the sub- 
ject, very criide notions prevailed respecting it in Europe. 
Although the inhabitanis of this region are the most timid in — 
the empire, there were among them, at one period, many who 
from mere bravado would plunge into the frightfnl wave. A 
proclamation against the custom still exists, from which it appears 
that many lives have been lost in attempting this exploit. After — 
appealing to that regard which all should entertain for the body 
