4. The Elaeococca begins to flower[1]. Moles are
transformed into quails[2]. Rainbows begin to appear.
Duckweed begins to grow.
5. The son of Heaven occupies the apartment on the right of the Khing Yang (Fane); rides in the carriage with the phoenix bells, drawn by the azure dragon-(horses), and bearing the green flag. He is dressed in the green robes, and wears the azure gems. He eats wheat and mutton. The vessels which he uses are slightly carved, (to resemble) the bursting forth (of nature).
6. In this month the son of Heaven presents robes yellow as the young leaves of the mulberry tree to the ancient divine ruler (and his queen)[3].
7. Orders are given to the officer in charge of the boats to turn a boat bottom up. Five times he does so, and five times he turns it back again, after which
he reports that it is ready for the son of Heaven, who
- ↑ This would probably be the Elaeococca vernicia, or Aleurites cordata.
- ↑ This statement, perhaps, arose from seeing quails running about among the mole-hills. The Khien-lung editors say that the quails fly at night, and in the day keep hidden among the grass; but they seem to admit the transformation. Professor Douglas explains the error from a want of recognition of the migration of quails.
- ↑ Callery translates this by:—"L'empereur offre de la belle jaune de céréales (aux empereurs anciens et modernes qui l'ont précédé)," following a different reading for the article offered. The general view is what I have followed. The offering is supposed to have been in connexion with a sacrifice preparatory to the silkworm season. The rearing of silkworms was due, it was supposed, to Hst-ling, the wife of the Yellow Tî. He is the "Ancient Tî" intended here, I suppose. The name is not to be taken as in the plural. See the Khang-hsî dictionary on the character khü (鞠).
