The Evolution of the Dragon
The Evolution of the Dragon, published in 1919, grew out of lectures that Grafton Elliot Smith, professor of anatomy at Manchester, gave at the John Rylands Library. Elliot Smith, an expert on Egyptian mummies, argues that the dragon and a whole family of related beliefs, about the elixir of life, rain gods, the great mother and the giver of life, can be traced to ideas first formed in ancient Egypt around embalming, incense and libations, and spread from there around the world. Chapters on Incense and Libations, Dragons and Rain Gods and The Birth of Aphrodite follow these threads through Asia and America. His diffusionist theory found few followers, but the book is wide-ranging and provocative. The full text is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, and the first chapter is free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about The Evolution of the Dragon
The Evolution of the Dragon by Grafton Elliot Smith can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read The Evolution of the Dragon online?
Yes. The Evolution of the Dragon opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is The Evolution of the Dragon free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of The Evolution of the Dragon is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is The Evolution of the Dragon in the public domain?
Yes. The Evolution of the Dragon by Grafton Elliot Smith is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read The Evolution of the Dragon?
About 7 h of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is The Evolution of the Dragon?
The Evolution of the Dragon by Grafton Elliot Smith is filed under "Religion & Mythology" in the Vinteuil library.
