法苑珠林 32.43

32.43

In the fourth year of the Taikang era of the Jin, in Kuaiji Commandery, fiddler crabs and river crabs all transformed into rats. Their swarms covered the fields and caused disaster by devouring the rice crops. When first formed, they had fur and flesh but no bones, and when moving they could not cross the field dykes; after several days, they were all robust. In the sixth year, a two-legged tiger was captured in Nanyang. A tiger is of the yin essence yet abides in yang; it is a metal beast. Nanyang is the name for fire. The essence of metal entering fire and losing its form was an omen of turmoil in the royal house.