Dragon’s Pearl Spouting

　　It is situated forty li northeast of Shangzhou. Traveling upstream along the Nineteenth River, you will come upon a majestic mountain with a cave recessed into its base. The cave is roughly five to six zhang in both length and width, and within it are over ten stone dragons. These formations are marvels of nature, with scales, horns, claws, and fangs seemingly crafted by human hands. Some lie curled as if asleep, others sprawl at ease, some bend down as if drinking, while others crane upward as if inhaling. There are those locked in combat, dancing, coiled as if hibernating, and one solitary dragon raising its head as if ready to take flight, with liquid dripping from its mouth to form a small pool. When praying for rain, people place a bottle beneath its jaw—just a single drop fills the bottle. Within a few li of departure, a great thunderstorm ensues. Otherwise, not a single drop is obtained all day, seemingly depending on the sincerity of the worshippers.

　　[Note] “促” means lying on one’s back facing downward. This cave is called “Stone Dragon Cave,” located in Longwangmiao Township of present-day Shangzhou City.