Shen Collection, Middle Volume. Radical: Insect (chóng). Character: Jiao. Kangxi stroke count: 12. Page 1081, Entry 37. Pronounced jiao. Shuowen Jiezi (Shuowen): A creature of the dragon kind. Among the three thousand six hundred species of fish in ponds, the jiao serves as their leader. It can lead schools of fish in flight, and if bamboo fish traps are placed in the water, it will depart. Piya (Piya): The jiao resembles a snake but possesses four legs, a slender neck, and a white, sac-like growth upon its neck. Large specimens are several arm-spans in circumference. They are oviparous and have eyebrows that cross, hence the name jiao. Classic of Mountains and Seas (Shanhaijing): Large jiao can reach over ten arm-spans in circumference, and they lay eggs as large as one or two stone urns. They are capable of devouring humans. Records of Anomalies (Shuyiji): An aged tiger fish transforms into a jiao. Miscellaneous Morsels from Youyang (Youyang Zazu): When a fish reaches two thousand catties in weight, it becomes a jiao. Book of Rites (Liji): In the final month of summer, orders are given to the official in charge of fishing to capture jiao. History of the Former Han (Qianhan): Emperor Wu, while traveling by boat down the Yangtze River from Xunyang, personally shot a jiao in the river and captured it. Also, jiao-sheep. Records of Anomalies (Shuyiji): The jiao-sheep resembles a sheep but lacks horns.