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306

THE Lî Kî.

BK. IV.

there would be droughts in the states; vapours and fogs would shed abroad their gloom, and thunder would utter its voice. If those proper to autumn were observed, the weather would be rainy and slushy; melons and gourds would not attain their full growth; and there would be great wars in the states. If those proper to spring were observed, locusts would work their harm ; the springs would all become dry; and many of the people would suffer from leprosy and foul ulcers.

Part III.

1. In the third month of winter the sun is in Wû-nü, the constellation culminating at dusk being Lâu, and that culminating at dawn Tî^[1].

2. Its days are zǎn and kwei. Its divine ruler is Kwan-hsü, and the (attendant) spirit is Hsüan-ming. Its creatures are the shell-covered. Its musical note is Yü, and its pitch-tube is Tâ Lü^[2].

3. Its number is six. Its taste is salt. Its smell is that of things that are rotten. Its sacrifice is that at (the altar of) the path; and the part of the victim occupying the foremost place is the kidneys.

4. The wild geese go northwards. The magpie begins to build. The (cock) pheasant crows^[3]. Hens hatch.

↑ Wû-nü, as in paragraph i, page 268. Lâu corresponds to α, β, γ, ι in the head of Aries; Tî, to α, β, δ, ι, μ, ν Libra.
↑ Tâ Lü is the first of the tubes giving the six lower musical accords.
↑ As is said in the Shih, II, v, 3, 5:—
"Crows the pheasant at the dawn,
And his mate is to him drawn."

[1] Wû-nü, as in paragraph i, page 268. Lâu corresponds to α, β, γ, ι in the head of Aries; Tî, to α, β, δ, ι, μ, ν Libra.

[2] Tâ Lü is the first of the tubes giving the six lower musical accords.

[3] As is said in the Shih, II, v, 3, 5:—
"Crows the pheasant at the dawn,
And his mate is to him drawn."

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[2]

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