rains would not fall; plants and trees would blossom; and in the states there would be alarms. If those proper to summer were observed, there would be droughts in the states; insects would not retire to their burrows; and the five grains would begin to grow again. If those proper to winter were observed, calamities springing from (unseasonable) winds would be constantly arising; the thunder now silent would be heard before its time; and plants and trees would die prematurely.
Part III.
1. In the last month of autumn the sun is in Fang, the constellation culminating at dusk being Hsû[1], and that culminating at dawn Liû.
2. Its days are kǎng and hsin. Its divine ruler is Shâo Hâo, and the (attending) spirit is 𝖅û-shâu. Its creatures are the hairy. Its musical note is Shang, and its pitch-tube is Wû Yî[2].
3. Its number is nine. Its taste is bitter. Its smell is rank. Its sacrifice is that at the gate; and of the parts of the victim the liver has the foremost place.
4. The wild geese come, (and abide) like guests[3].
- ↑ Fang comprehends β, δ, π, ρ Scorpio. Hsü corresponds to β Aquarius; and Liû comprehends δ, ε, ζ, η, θ, ρ, σ, φ Hydra.
- ↑ Wû Yî, "the unwearied," is the tube giving the sixth upper musical accord.
- ↑ The addition of guests here is a difficulty. It is said on the previous month that "the wild geese come;" are these here the same as those, or are they others,—the younger birds, as some suppose, which had waited after the former, and still found it necessary to remain on their passage to recruit their strength?
U 2
