Fox spirits feature prominently in mythology throughout the mythology of East Asia. In China, these are generally known as Huli jing. There are various types, such as the nine-tailed fox. Various dogs appear in the mythology of China, featuring more prominently in some ethnic cultures more than others. The zodiacal dog is featured in the Chinese zodiac. The Bovidae appearing in the mythologies of China include oxen (including the common cow, buffalo, and the yak), sheep and goats, and perhaps antelopes (some times "unicorns" are thought to be types of antelopes). References to oxen may include those to the common cow, the buffalo, and the yak. The zodiacal ox is one of the twelve zodiacal signs in the twelve-year calendar cycle. Yak tails are mentioned as magical whisks used by Daoist sorcerers. The ox appears in various agricultural myths. Sheep (and/or goats) appear in various myths and stories. The zodiacal sheep is one of the twelve zodiacal signs in the twelve-year calendar cycle. A semi-mythical, semi-historical story involves the adventures of the Han diplomat Su Wu held captive among the Xiongnu for nineteen years and forced to herd sheep and/or goats. Horses frequently gallop through Chinese mythology. Sometimes the poets say that they are related to dragons. The zodiacal horse is one of the twelve zodiacal signs in the twelve-year calendar cycle. Various types of "unicorns" can be found in the myths, designated by the term "lin", which is often translated as "unicorn". They possess many similarities to the European unicorn, although not necessarily having only one horn. There are six types of "lin" . One type of "lin" is the Qilin, a chimeric or composite animal with several variations. Xu Shen in his early 2nd century CE) dictionary "Shuowen Jiezi" defines what is represented by this particular "lin" (in K. C. Wu's 1982 translation) as "an animal of benevolence, having the body of an antelope, the tail of an ox, and a single horn." Also, according to the "Shuowen Jiezi", the horn was sometimes said to have been frightening in appearance to scare off would be attackers, but really flesh-tipped so as to cause no harm. "Lin", or unicorns appear only during the reign of benevolent rulers.