Ingersoll became intensely interested in dragon worship and the dragon myth during a journey in China and Mongolia. In the royal city of Peking appears the apotheosis of the dragon in every conceivable form of symbolism and architecture. Dragons leading up the steps of temples and palaces of the Manchu emperors and the superb dragon screen guarding the approach to one of the royal palaces are but two of the numerous examples of the universal former belief in these mythical animals, and of the still prevailing beliefs among the common people of China. The present work will arouse a widespread interest among students of animal form and history on one hand, and of folk lore, primitive religion and mythology on the other.