Black Locust

Robinia pseudoacacia
Black locust – a deciduous tree 60-80 feet tall, with a thick, deeply furrowed, dark brown bark and crooked, forking branches. Compound, feathery leaves 8-10 inches long consist of oval leaflets 1 – 2 1/2 inches long. A pair of approximately 1/2-inch-long thorns forms at the base of each leaf. White, sweet-scented flower clusters (May-June) resemble pea blossoms. Smooth, dark brown pods 3 – 4 inches long contain poisonous seeds.

Chang Tao Ling

God of the afterlife. Taoist (Chinese). The head of the heavenly Ministry of Exorcism, and allegedly the first head of the Taoist church. By tradition he vanquished the five poisonous animals— the centipede, scorpion, snake, spider and toad—placing their venom in a flask in which he concocted the elixir of life. Having drunk the contents at the age of 123, he ascended to heaven. He is depicted riding upon a tiger and brandishing a sword. Before the communist takeover of China, the gods of exorcism lived in a sanctuary on the Dragon Tiger mountain in Kiangsi province. Exorcised spirits were trapped in jars which were stored in the cellars.