FABULOUS CREATURES. 233 



in search of it disguise themselves with flowers in their 

 hair, and call as they go, "Hung niang-tsz," a pet name 

 for a pretty girl. When the snake appears, they throw 

 some female garments over it, whereupon it lies still. The 

 hunters taking advantage of its quietude, rapidly chop off its 

 head, and then run away. The death struggles of the monster 

 are terrible to behold. It leaps about and levels everything 

 in its way, even trees being torn up in its struggles. 



There is, as we have been told by Dr. Edkins, a 

 characteristic trait to be observed in all Chinese symbolism, 

 in that connected with animals no less than that connected 

 with trees, numbers, philosophy and other things. Whilst 

 that of the ancient Hebrews was directed to the future, that 

 of China looks backward to the past. But men of the present 

 day, with the spectacle of a promised regeneration of China 

 before their eyes, may well ask whether the Chinese also 

 have not now definitely turned their faces towards the time 

 to come, and not towards the time that is gone. The 

 question is, perhaps, the most momentous ever put before 

 the human race. Time alone can answer it. 



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