Butwhydoesthepiper，whoisaleaderofsouls(Psychopompos)，alsodrawratsafterhim？Inansweringthisweshallhaveoccasiontonotethattheancientsbynomeanssharedthatcuriousprejudiceagainstthebrutecreationwhichisindulgedinbymodernanti-Darwinians。Inmanycountries，ratsandmicehavebeenregardedassacredanimals；butinGermanytheywerethoughttorepresentthehumansoul。Onestoryoutofahundredmustsufficetoillustratethis。“InThuringia，atSaalfeld，aservant-girlfellasleepwhilsthercompanionswereshellingnuts。Theyobservedalittleredmousecreepfromhermouthandrunoutofthewindow。Oneofthefellowspresentshookthesleeper，butcouldnotwakeher，sohemovedhertoanotherplace。Presentlythemouseranbacktotheformerplaceanddashedabout，seekingthegirl；notfindingher，itvanished；atthesamemomentthegirldied。“[19]Thiscompletestheexplanationofthepiper，anditalsofurnishesthekeytothehorriblestoryofBishopHatto。
[19]Baring-Gould，CuriousMyths，Vol。II。p。159。
ThiswickedprelatelivedonthebankoftheRhine，inthemiddleofwhichstreamhepossessedatower，nowpointedouttotravellersastheMouseTower。Intheyear970therewasadreadfulfamine，andpeoplecamefromfarandnearcravingsustenanceoutoftheBishop\'sampleandwell-filledgranaries。Well，hetoldthemalltogointothebarn，andwhentheyhadgotinthere，asmanyascouldstand，hesetfiretothebarnandburntthemallup，andwenthometoeatamerrysupper。Butwhenhearosenextmorning，heheardthatanarmyofratshadeatenallthecorninhisgranaries，andwasnowadvancingtostormthepalace。Lookingfromhiswindow，hesawtheroadsandfieldsdarkwiththem，astheycamewithfellpurposestraighttowardhismansion。Infrenziedterrorhetookhisboatandrowedouttothetowerintheriver。Butitwasofnouse:downintothewatermarchedtherats，andswamacross，andscaledthewalls，andgnawedthroughthestones，andcameswarminginabouttheshriekingBishop，andatehimup，flesh，bones，andall。Now，bearinginmindwhatwassaidabove，therecanbenodoubtthattheseratswerethesoulsofthosewhomtheBishophadmurdered。TherearemanyversionsofthestoryindifferentTeutoniccountries，andinsomeofthemtheavengingratsormiceissuedirectly，byastrangemetamorphosis，fromthecorpsesofthevictims。St。
Gertrude，moreover，theheathenHolda，wassymbolizedasamouse，andwassaidGoleadanarmyofmice；shewasthereceiverofchildren\'ssouls。Odin，also，inhischaracterofaPsychopompos，wasfollowedbyahostofrats。[20]
[20]PerhapswemaytracebacktothissourcethefranticterrorwhichIrishservant-girlsoftenmanifestatsightofamouse。
Asthesoulsofthedepartedaresymbolizedasrats，soisthepsychopomphimselfoftenfiguredasadog。Sarameias，theVediccounterpartofHermesandOdin，sometimesappearsinvestedwithcanineattributes；andcountlessotherexamplesgotoshowthatbytheearlyAryanmindthehowlingwindwasconceivedasagreatdogorwolf。Asthefearfulbeastwasheardspeedingbythewindowsoroverthehouse-top，theinmatestrembled，fornoneknewbuthisownsoulmightforthwithberequiredofhim。Hence，tothisday，amongignorantpeople，thehowlingofadogunderthewindowissupposedtoportendadeathinthefamily。ItisthefleetgreyhoundofHermes，cometoescortthesoultotheriverStyx。[21]
[21]InPersiaadogisbroughttothebedsideofthepersonwhoisdying，inorderthatthesoulmaybesureofapromptescort。ThesamecustomexistsinIndia。Breal，HerculeetCacus，p。123。
Butthewind-godisnotalwayssoterrible。NothingcanbemoretransparentthanthephraseologyoftheHomericHymn，inwhichHermesisdescribedasacquiringthestrengthofagiantwhileyetababeinthecradle，assallyingoutandstealingthecattle(clouds)ofApollo，anddrivingthemhelter-skelterinvariousdirections，thenascrawlingthroughthekeyhole，andwithamockinglaughshrinkingintohiscradle。HeistheMasterThief，whocanstealtheburgomaster\'shorsefromunderhimandhiswife\'smantlefromoffherback，theprototypenotonlyofthecraftyarchitectofRhampsinitos，butevenoftheungratefulslavewhorobsSanchoofhismuleintheSierraMorena。HefurnishesinparttheconceptionsofBootsandReynard；heistheprototypeofPaulPryandpeepingTomofCoventry；andinvirtueofhisabilitytocontractorexpandhimselfatpleasure，heisboththeDevilintheNorseTale，[22]whomtheladpersuadestoenterawalnut，andtheArabianEfreet，whomthefishermanreleasesfromthebottle。
[22]TheDevil，whoisproverbially“activeinagaleofwind，“isnoneotherthanHermes。
Theveryinterestingseriesofmythsandpopularsuperstitionssuggestedbythestorm-cloudandthelightningmustbereservedforafutureoccasion。Whencarefullyexamined，theywillrichlyillustratetheconclusionwhichistheresultofthepresentinquiry，thatthemarvelloustalesandquaintsuperstitionscurrentineveryAryanhouseholdhaveacommonoriginwiththeclassiclegendsofgodsandheroes，whichformerlywerealonethoughtworthyofthestudent\'sseriousattention。Thesestories——someofthemfamiliartousininfancy，othersthedelightofourmatureryears——constitutethedebris，oralluvium，broughtdownbythestreamoftraditionfromthedistanthighlandsofancientmythology。
September，1870。
II。THEDESCENTOFFIRE。
INthecourseofmylastsummer\'svacation，whichwasspentatasmallinlandvillage，Icameuponanunexpectedillustrationofthetenacitywithwhichconceptionsdescendedfromprehistoricantiquityhavenowandthenkepttheirholduponlife。Whilesittingoneeveningunderthetreesbytheroadside，myattentionwascalledtotheunusualconductofhalfadozenmenandboyswhowerestandingopposite。Anelderlymanwasmovingslowlyupanddowntheroad，holdingwithbothhandsaforkedtwigofhazel，shapedliketheletterYinverted。Withhispalmsturnedupward，heheldineachhandabranchofthetwiginsuchawaythattheshankpointedupward；buteveryfewmoments，ashehaltedoveracertainspot，thetwigwouldgraduallybenddownwardsuntilithadassumedthelikenessofaYinitsnaturalposition，whereitwouldremainpointingtosomethinginthegroundbeneath。Onebyonethebystandersproceededtotrytheexperiment，butwithnovariationintheresult。Somethinginthegroundseemedtofascinatethebitofhazel，foritcouldnotpassoverthatspotwithoutbendingdownandpointingtoit。
MythoughtsrevertedatoncetoJacquesAymarandDousterswivel，asIperceivedthatthesemenwereengagedinsorcery。Duringthelongdroughtmorethanhalfthewellsinthevillagehadbecomedry，andherewasanattempttomakegoodthelossbytheaidofthegodThor。Thesemenwereseekingwaterwithadivining-rod。Here，alivebeforemyeyes，wasasuperstitiousobservance，whichIhadsupposedlongsincedeadandforgottenbyallmenexceptstudentsinterestedinmythology。
AsIcrossedtheroadtotakepartintheceremonyafarmer\'sboycameup，stoutlyaffirminghisincredulity，andofferingtoshowthecompanyhowhecouldcarrytherodmotionlessacrossthecharmedspot。Butwhenhecametotaketheweirdtwighetrembledwithanill-definedfeelingofinsecurityastothesoundnessofhisconclusions，andwhenhestoodoverthesupposedrivulettherodbentinspiteofhim，——aswasnotsoverystrange。For，withallhisvaguescepticism，thehonestladhadnot，andcouldnotbesupposedtohave，thefoiscientifiqueofwhichLittrespeaks。[23]
[23]“Ilfautquelacoeurdevienneancienparmilesaneienneschoses，etlaplenitudedel\'histoirenesedevoilequ\'aceluiquidescend，ainsidispose，danslepasse。Maisilfautquel\'espritdemeuremoderne，etn\'oubliejamaisqu\'iln\'yapourluid\'autrefoiquelafoiscientifique。\'——LITTRS。
HereuponIrequestedleavetotrytherod；butsomethinginmymannerseemedatoncetoexcitethesuspicionandscornofthesorcerer。“Yes，takeit，“saidhe，withuncalled-forvehemence，“butyoucan\'tstopit；there\'swaterbelowhere，andyoucan\'thelpitsbending，ifyoubreakyourbacktryingtoholdit。“Sohegavemethetwig，andawaited，withasmilewhichwasmeanttoexpresswitheringsarcasm，thediscomfitureofthesupposedscoffer。ButwhenIproceededtowalkfourorfivetimesacrossthemysteriousplace，therodpointingsteadfastlytowardthezenithallthewhile，ourfriendbecamegraveandbegantophilosophize。“Well，“saidhe，“yousee，yourtemperamentispeculiar；theconditionsain\'tfavourableinyourcase；therearesomepeoplewhonevercanworkthesethings。Butthere\'swaterbelowhere，forallthat，asyou\'llfind，ifyoudigforit；there\'snothinglikeahazel-rodforfindingoutwater。“
Verytrue:therearesomepersonswhonevercanmakesuchthingswork；whosomehowalwaysencounter“unfavourableconditions“whentheywishtotestthemarvellouspowersofaclairvoyant；whonevercanmake“Planchette“moveinconformitytotherequirementsofanyknownalphabet；whoneverseeghosts，andneverhave“presentiments，“savesuchasareobviouslyduetoassociationofideas。Theill-successofthesepersonsiscommonlyascribedtotheirlackoffaith；
but，inthemajorityofcases，itmightbemoretrulyreferredtothestrengthoftheirfaith，——faithintheconstancyofnature，andintheadequacyofordinaryhumanexperienceasinterpretedbyscience。[24]Lafoiscientifiqueisanexcellentpreventiveagainstthatobscure，thoughnotuncommon，kindofself-deceptionwhichenableswoodentripodstowriteandtablestotipandhazel-twigstotwistupside-down，withouttheconsciousinterventionoftheperformer。Itwasthiskindoffaith，nodoubt，whichcausedthediscomfitureofJacquesAymaronhisvisittoParis，[25]
andwhichhasinlateyearspreventedpersonsfromobtainingthehandsomeprizeofferedbytheFrenchAcademyforthefirstauthenticcaseofclairvoyance。
[24]Foranadmirableexampleofscientificself-analysistracingoneoftheseillusionstoitspsychologicalsources，seetheaccountofDr。Lazarus，inTaine，Del\'Intelligence，Vol。I。pp。121-125。
[25]SeethestoryofAymarinBaring-Gould，CuriousMyths，Vol。I。pp。57-77。ThelearnedauthorattributesthediscomfituretotheuncongenialParisianenvironment；whichisastyleofreasoningmuchlikethatofmyvillagesorcerer，I
fear。
Butourvillagefriend，thoughperhapsconstructivelyrightinhisphilosophizing，wascertainlyverydefectiveinhisacquaintancewiththetime-honouredartofrhabdomancy。HadheextendedhisinquiriessoastocoverthefieldofIndo-Europeantradition，hewouldhavelearnedthatthemountain-ash，themistletoe，thewhiteandblackthorn，theHinduasvattha，andseveralotherwoods，arequiteasefficientasthehazelforthepurposeofdetectingwaterintimesofdrought；andinduecourseoftimehewouldhaveperceivedthatthedivining-roditselfisbutoneamongalargeclassofthingstowhichpopularbeliefhasascribed，alongwithothertalismanicproperties，thepowerofopeningthegroundorcleavingrocks，inordertorevealhiddentreasures。Leavinghiminpeace，then，withhisbitofforkedhazel，toseekforcoolingspringsinsomefuturethirstyseason，letusendeavourtoelucidatetheoriginofthiscurioussuperstition。
Thedetectionofsubterraneanwaterisbynomeanstheonlyusetowhichthedivining-rodhasbeenput。AmongtheancientFrisiansitwasregularlyusedforthedetectionofcriminals；
andthereputationofJacquesAymarwaswonbyhisdiscoveryoftheperpetratorofahorriblemurderatLyons。ThroughoutEuropeithasbeenusedfromtimeimmemorialbyminersforascertainingthepositionofveinsofmetal；andinthedayswhentalentswerewrappedinnapkinsandburiedinthefield，insteadofbeingexposedtotherisksoffinancialspeculation，thedivining-rodwasemployedbypersonscovetousoftheirneighbours\'wealth。IfBoulatruellehadlivedinthesixteenthcentury，hewouldhavetakenaforkedstickofhazelwhenhewenttosearchfortheburiedtreasuresofJeanValjean。Ithasalsobeenappliedtothecureofdisease，andhasbeenkeptinhouseholds，likeawizard\'scharm，toinsuregeneralgood-fortuneandimmunityfromdisaster。
Aswefollowtheconceptionfurtherintotheelf-landofpopulartradition，wecomeuponarodwhichnotonlypointsoutthesituationofhiddentreasure，butevensplitsopenthegroundandrevealsthemineralwealthcontainedtherein。InGermanlegend，“ashepherd，whowasdrivinghisflockovertheIlsenstein，havingstoppedtorest，leaningonhisstaff，themountainsuddenlyopened，fortherewasaspringwortinhisstaffwithouthisknowingit，andtheprincess[Ilse]stoodbeforehim。Shebadehimfollowher，andwhenhewasinsidethemountainshetoldhimtotakeasmuchgoldashepleased。
Theshepherdfilledallhispockets，andwasgoingaway，whentheprincesscalledafterhim，\'Forgetnotthebest。\'So，thinkingshemeantthathehadnottakenenough，hefilledhishatalso；butwhatshemeantwashisstaffwiththespringwort，whichhehadlaidagainstthewallassoonashesteppedin。Butnow，justashewasgoingoutattheopening，therocksuddenlyslammedtogetherandcuthimintwo。“[26]
[26]Kelly，Indo-EuropeanFolk-Lore，p。177。
Heretherodderivesitsmarvellouspropertiesfromtheenclosedspringwort，butinmanycasesaleaforflowerisitselfcompetenttoopenthehillside。Thelittleblueflower，forget-me-not，aboutwhichsomanysentimentalassociationshaveclustered，owesitsnametothelegendstoldofitstalismanicvirtues。[27]Aman，travellingonalonelymountain，picksupalittleblueflowerandsticksitinhishat。Forthwithanirondooropens，showingupalightedpassage-way，throughwhichthemanadvancesintoamagnificenthall，whererubiesanddiamondsandallotherkindsofgemsarelyingpiledingreatheapsonthefloor。Asheeagerlyfillshispocketshishatdropsfromhishead，andwhenheturnstogooutthelittleflowercallsafterhim，“Forgetmenot！“Heturnsbackandlooksaround，butistoobewilderedwithhisgoodfortunetothinkofhisbareheadoroftheluck-flowerwhichhehasletfall。Heselectsseveralmoreofthefinestjewelshecanfind，andagainstartstogoout；butashepassesthroughthedoorthemountainclosesamidthecrashingofthunder，andcutsoffoneofhisheels。Alone，inthegloomoftheforest，hesearchesinvainforthemysteriousdoor:ithasdisappearedforever，andthetravellergoesonhisway，thankful，letushope，thathehasfarednoworse。
[27]Thestoryoftheluck-floweriswelltoldinversebyMr。
BaringGould，inhisSilverStore，p。115，seq。
Sometimesitisawhitelady，likethePrincessIlse，whoinvitesthefinderoftheluck-flowertohelphimselftohertreasures，andwhoutterstheenigmaticalwarning。ThemountainwheretheeventoccurredmaybefoundalmostanywhereinGermany，andonejustlikeitstoodinPersia，inthegoldenprimeofHarounAlraschid。InthestoryoftheFortyThieves，themerenameoftheplantsesameservesasatalismantoopenandshutthesecretdoorwhichleadsintotherobbers\'cavern；andwhentheavariciousCassimBaba，absorbedinthecontemplationofthebagsofgoldandbalesofrichmerchandise，forgetsthemagicformula，hemeetsnobetterfatethantheshepherdoftheIlsenstein。InthestoryofPrinceAhmed，itisanenchantedarrowwhichguidestheyoungadventurerthroughthehillsidetothegrottoofthePeriBanou。InthetaleofBabaAbdallah，itisanointmentrubbedontheeyelidwhichrevealsatasingleglanceallthetreasureshiddeninthebowelsoftheearthTheancientRomansalsohadtheirrock-breakingplant，calledSaxifraga，or“sassafras。“Andthefurtherwepenetrateintothischarmedcircleoftraditionsthemoreevidentdoesitappearthatthepowerofcleavingrocksorshatteringhardsubstancesenters，asaprimitiveelement，intotheconceptionofthesetreasure-showingtalismans。Mr。Baring-Gouldhasgivenanexcellentaccountoftherabbinicallegendsconcerningthewonderfulschamir，bytheaidofwhichSolomonwassaidtohavebuilthistemple。FromAsmodeus，princeoftheJann，Benaiah，thesonofJehoiada，wrestedthesecretofawormnobiggerthanabarley-corn，whichcouldsplitthehardestsubstance。Thiswormwascalledschamir。“IfSolomondesiredtopossesshimselfoftheworm，hemustfindthenestofthemoor-hen，andcoveritwithaplateofglass，sothatthemotherbirdcouldnotgetatheryoungwithoutbreakingtheglass。Shewouldseekschamirforthepurpose，andthewormmustbeobtainedfromher。“AstheJewishkingdidneedtheworminordertohewthestonesforthattemplewhichwastobebuiltwithoutsoundofhammer，oraxe，oranytoolofiron，[28]hesentBenaiahtoobtainit。Accordingtoanotheraccount，schamirwasamysticstonewhichenabledSolomontopenetratetheearthinsearchofmineralwealth。DirectedbyaJinni，thewisekingcoveredaraven\'seggswithaplateofcrystal，andthusobtainedschamirwhichthebirdbroughtinordertobreaktheplate。[29]
[28]1Kingsvi。7。
[29]ComparetheMussulmanaccountofthebuildingofthetemple，inBaring-Gould，LegendsofthePatriarchsandProphets，pp。337，338。AndseethestoryofDiocletian\'sostrich，Swan，GestaRomanorum，ed。Wright，VolI。p。lxiv。
Seealsotheprettystoryoftheknightunjustlyimprisoned，id。p。cii。
Inthesetraditions，whichmaypossiblybeofAryandescent，duetotheprolongedintercoursebetweentheJewsandthePersians，anewfeatureisaddedtothosebeforeenumerated:
therock-splittingtalismanisalwaysfoundinthepossessionofabird。ThesamefeatureinthemythreappearsonAryansoil。Thespringwort，whosemarvellouspowerswehavenoticedinthecaseoftheIlsensteinshepherd，isobtained，accordingtoPliny，bystoppinguptheholeinatreewhereawoodpeckerkeepsitsyoung。Thebirdfliesaway，andpresentlyreturnswiththespringwort，whichitappliestotheplug，causingittoshootoutwithaloudexplosion。ThesameaccountisgiveninGermanfolk-lore。Elsewhere，asinIceland，Normandy，andancientGreece，thebirdisaneagle，aswallow，anostrich，orahoopoe。
IntheIcelandicandPomeranianmythstheschamir，or“raven-stone，“alsorendersitspossessorinvisible，——apropertywhichitshareswithoneofthetreasure-findingplants，thefern。[30]InthisrespectitresemblestheringofGyges，asinitsdiviningandrock-splittingqualitiesitresemblesthatotherringwhichtheAfricanmagri-ciangavetoAladdin，toenablehimtodescendintothecavernwherestoodthewonderfullamp。
[30]“Wehavethereceiptoffern-seed。Wewalkinvisible。“——
Shakespeare，HenryIV。SeeRalston，SongsoftheRussianPeople，p。98
AccordingtooneNorthGermantradition，theluck-floweralsowillmakeitsfinderinvisibleatpleasure。But，asthemythshrewdlyadds，itisabsolutelyessentialthattheflowerbefoundbyaccident:hewhoseeksforitneverfindsit！Thusallcavilsareskilfullyforestalled，evenifnotsatisfactorilydisposedof。Thesamekindofreasoningisfavouredbyourmoderndealersinmystery:somehowthe“conditions“alwaysareaskewwheneverascientificobserverwishestotesttheirpretensions。
IntheNorthofEuropeschamirappearsstrangelyandgrotesquelymetamorphosed。Thehandofamanthathasbeenhanged，whendriedandpreparedwithcertainweirdunguentsandsetonfire，isknownastheHandofGlory；andasitnotonlyburstsopenallsafe-locks，butalsolullstosleepallpersonswithinthecircleofitsinfluence，itisofcourseinvaluabletothievesandburglars。IquotethefollowingstoryfromThorpe\'s“NorthernMythology“:“TwofellowsoncecametoHuy，whopretendedtobeexceedinglyfatigued，andwhentheyhadsuppedwouldnotretiretoasleeping-room，butbeggedtheirhostwouldallowthemtotakeanaponthehearth。Butthemaid-servant，whodidnotlikethelooksofthetwoguests，remainedbythekitchendoorandpeepedthroughachink，whenshesawthatoneofthemdrewathief\'shandfromhispocket，thefingersofwhich，afterhavingrubbedthemwithanointment，helighted，andtheyallburnedexceptone。Againtheyheldthisfingertothefire，butstillitwouldnotburn，atwhichtheyappearedmuchsurprised，andonesaid，\'Theremustsurelybesomeoneinthehousewhoisnotyetasleep。\'Theythenhungthehandwithitsfourburningfingersbythechimney，andwentouttocalltheirassociates。Butthemaidfollowedtheminstantlyandmadethedoorfast，thenranupstairs，wherethelandlordslept，thatshemightwakehim，butwasunable，notwithstandingallhershakingandcalling。Inthemeantimethethieveshadreturnedandwereendeavouringtoenterthehousebyawindow，butthemaidcastthemdownfromtheladder。Theythentookadifferentcourse，andwouldhaveforcedanentrance，haditnotoccurredtothemaidthattheburningfingersmightprobablybethecauseofhermaster\'sprofoundsleep。
Impressedwiththisideasherantothekitchenandblewthemout，whenthemasterandhismen-servantsinstantlyawoke，andsoondroveawaytherobbers。“ThesameeventissaidtohaveoccurredatStainmoreinEngland；andTorquermadarelatesofMexicanthievesthattheycarrywiththemthelefthandofawomanwhohasdiedinherfirstchildbed，beforewhichtalismanallboltsyieldandalloppositionisbenumbed。In1831“someIrishthievesattemptedtocommitarobberyontheestateofMr。Naper，ofLoughcrew，countyMeath。Theyenteredthehousearmedwithadeadman\'shandwithalightedcandleinit，believinginthesuperstitiousnotionthatacandleplacedinadeadman\'shandwillnotbeseenbyanybutthosebywhomitisused；andalsothatifacandleinadeadhandbeintroducedintoahouse，itwillpreventthosewhomaybeasleepfromawaking。Theinmates，however，werealarmed，andtherobbersfled，leavingthehandbehindthem。“[31]
[31]Henderson，Folk-LoreoftheNorthernCountiesofEngland，p。202
IntheMiddleAgesthehandofglorywasused，justlikethedivining-rod，forthedetectionofburiedtreasures。
Here，then，wehavealargeandmotleygroupofobjects——theforkedrodofashorhazel，thespringwortandtheluck-flower，leaves，worms，stones，rings，anddeadmen\'shands——whichareforthemostpartcompetenttoopenthewayintocavernousrocks，andwhichallagreeinpointingouthiddenwealth。Wefind，moreover，thatmanyofthesecharmedobjectsarecarriedaboutbybirds，andthatsomeofthempossess，inadditiontotheirgenericproperties，thespecificpowerofbenumbingpeople\'ssenses。What，now，isthecommonoriginofthiswholegroupofsuperstitions？Andsincemythologyhasbeenshowntobetheresultofprimevalattemptstoexplainthephenomenaofnature，whatnaturalphenomenoncouldeverhavegivenrisetosomanyseeminglywantonconceptions？Hopelessastheproblemmayatfirstsightseem，ithasneverthelessbeensolved。Inhisgreattreatiseon“TheDescentofFire，“Dr。Kuhnhasshownthatalltheselegendsandtraditionsaredescendedfromprimitivemythsexplanatoryofthelightningandthestorm-cloud。[32]
[32]Kuhn，DieHerabkunftdesFeuersunddesGottertranks。
Berlin，1859。
Tous，whoarenourishedfromchildhoodonthetruthsrevealedbyscience，theskyisknowntobemerelyanopticalappearanceduetothepartialabsorptionofthesolarraysinpassingthroughathickstratumofatmosphericair；thecloudsareknowntobelargemassesofwateryvapour，whichdescendinrain-dropswhensufficientlycondensed；andthelightningisknowntobeaflashoflightaccompanyinganelectricdischarge。Buttheseconceptionsareextremelyrecondite，andhavebeenattainedonlythroughcenturiesofphilosophizingandaftercarefulobservationandlaboriousexperiment。Totheuntaughtmindofachildorofanuncivilizedman，itseemsfarmorenaturalandplausibletoregardtheskyasasoliddomeofbluecrystal，thecloudsassnowymountains，orperhapsevenasgiantsorangels，thelightningasaflashingdartorafieryserpent。Inpointoffact，wefindthattheconceptionsactuallyentertainedareoftenfarmoregrotesquethanthese。Icanrecollectonceframingthehypothesisthattheflamingcloudsofsunsetweretransientapparitions，vouchsafedusbywayofwarning，ofthatburningCalvinistichellwithwhichmychildishimaginationhadbeenunwiselyterrified；[33]andIhaveknownofafour-year-oldboywhothoughtthatthesnowycloudsofnoondaywerethewhiterobesoftheangelshungouttodryinthesun。[34]MylittledaughterisanxioustoknowwhetheritisnecessarytotakeaballooninordertogettotheplacewhereGodlives，orwhetherthesameendcanbeaccomplishedbygoingtothehorizonandcrawlingupthesky；[35]theMohammedanofoldwasworkingatthesameproblemwhenhecalledtherainbowthebridgeEs-Sirat，overwhichsoulsmustpassontheirwaytoheaven。AccordingtotheancientJew，theskywasasolidplate，hammeredoutbythegods，andspreadovertheearthinordertokeepuptheoceanoverhead；[36]buttheplatewasfulloflittlewindows，whichwereopenedwheneveritbecamenecessarytolettheraincomethrough。[37]WithequalplausibilitytheGreekrepresentedtherainyskyasasieveinwhichthedaughtersofDanaoswerevainlytryingtodrawwater；whiletotheHindutherain-cloudswerecelestialcattlemilkedbythewind-god。InprimitiveAryanlore，theskyitselfwasabluesea，andthecloudswereshipssailingoverit；andanEnglishlegendtellshowoneoftheseshipsoncecaughtitsanchoronagravestoneinthechurchyard，tothegreatastonishmentofthepeoplewhowerecomingoutofchurch。Charon\'sferry-boatwasoneofthesevessels，andanotherwasOdin\'sgoldenship，inwhichthesoulsofslainheroeswereconveyedtoValhalla。HenceitwasoncetheScandinavianpracticetoburythedeadinboats；andinAltmarkapennyisstillplacedinthemouthofthecorpse，thatitmayhavethemeansofpayingitsfaretotheghostlyferryman。[38]InsuchavesseldriftedtheLadyofShalottonherfatalvoyage；andofsimilarnaturewastheduskybarge，“darkasafuneral-scarffromstemtostern，“inwhichArthurwasreceivedbytheblack-hoodedqueens。[39]
[33]“Sagameforwhanbythseosunnereadonaefen？Icthesecge，forthonheolocathonhelle——Tellme，whyisthesunredateven？Itellthee，becauseshelookethonhell。“
Thorpe，AnalectaAnglo-Saxonica，p。115，apudTylor，PrimitiveCulture，Vol。II。p。63。Barbaricthoughthadpartlyanticipatedmychildishtheory。
[34]“StillinNorthGermanydoesthepeasantsayofthunder，thattheangelsareplayingskittlesaloft，andofthesnow，thattheyareshakingupthefeatherbedsinheaven。“——
Baring-Gould，BookofWerewolves，p。172。
[35]“ThePolynesiansimaginethattheskydescendsatthehorizonandenclosestheearth。Hencetheycallforeignerspapalangi，or\'heaven-bursters，\'ashavingbrokeninfromanotherworldoutside。“——MaxMuller，Chips，II。268。
[36]“——Andsaidthegods，lettherebeahammeredplateinthemidstofthewaters，andletitbedividingbetweenwatersandwaters。“Genesisi。6。
[37]Genesisvii。11。
[38]SeeKelly，Indo-EuropeanFolk-Lore，p120；whostatesalsothatinBengaltheGarrowsburntheirdeadinasmallboat，placedontopofthefuneral-pile。
Intheircharacterofcows，also，thecloudswereregardedaspsychopomps；andhenceitisstillapopularsuperstitionthatacowbreakingintotheyardforetokensadeathinthefamily。
[39]Thesun-godFreyrhadacloud-shipcalledSkithblathnir，whichisthusdescribedinDasent\'sProseEdda:“Sheissogreat，thatalltheAEsir，withtheirweaponsandwar-gear，mayfindroomonboardher“；but“whenthereisnoneedoffaringontheseainher，sheismade……withsomuchcraftthatFreyrmayfoldhertogetherlikeacloth，andkeepherinhisbag。“ThissamevirtuewaspossessedbythefairypavilionwhichthePeriBanougavetoAhmed；thecloudwhichisnobiggerthanaman\'shandmaysoonoverspreadthewholeheaven，andshadetheSultan\'sarmyfromthesolarrays。
Butthefactthatanaturalphenomenonwasexplainedinonewaydidnothinderitfrombeingexplainedinadozenotherways。Thefactthatthesunwasgenerallyregardedasanall-conqueringherodidnotpreventitsbeingcalledanegg，anapple，orafrogsquattingonthewaters，orIxion\'swheel，ortheeyeofPolyphemos，orthestoneofSisyphos，whichwasnosoonerpushedtothezeniththanitrolleddowntothehorizon。Sotheskywasnotonlyacrystaldome，oracelestialocean，butitwasalsotheAleianlandthroughwhichBellerophonwandered，thecountryoftheLotos-eaters，oragaintherealmoftheGraiaibeyondthetwilight；andfinallyitwaspersonifiedandworshippedasDyausorVaruna，theVedicprototypesoftheGreekZeusandOuranos。Theclouds，too，hadmanyotherrepresentativesbesidesshipsandcows。Inafuturepaperitwillbeshownthattheyweresometimesregardedasangelsorhouris；atpresentitmorenearlyconcernsustoknowthattheyappear，throughoutallAryanmythology，undertheformofbirds。ItusedtobeamatterofhopelesswondertomethatAladdin\'sinnocentrequestforaroc\'seggtohanginthedomeofhispalaceshouldhavebeenregardedasacrimeworthyofpunishmentbythelossofthewonderfullamp；theobscurestpartofthewholeaffairbeingperhapstheJinni\'spassionateallusiontotheeggashismaster:“Wretch！dostthoucommandmetobringtheemymaster，andhanghimupinthemidstofthisvaulteddome？“
Buttheincidentistosomeextentclearedofitsmysterywhenwelearnthattheroc\'seggisthebrightsun，andthattherocitselfistherushingstorm-cloudwhich，inthetaleofSindbad，hauntsthesparklingstarryfirmament，symbolizedasavalleyofdiamonds。[40]AccordingtooneArabicauthority，thelengthofitswingsistenthousandfathoms。ButinEuropeantraditionitdwindlesfromthesehugedimensionstothesizeofaneagle，araven，orawoodpecker。AmongthebirdsenumeratedbyKuhnandothersasrepresentingthestorm-cloudarelikewisethewrenor“kinglet“(Frenchroitelet)；theowl，sacredtoAthene；thecuckoo，stork，andsparrow；andthered-breastedrobin，whosenameRobertwasoriginallyanepithetofthelightning-godThor。IncertainpartsofFranceitisstillbelievedthattherobbingofawren\'snestwillrendertheculpritliabletobestruckbylightning。ThesamebeliefwasformerlyentertainedinTeutoniccountrieswithrespecttotherobin；andIsupposethatfromthissuperstitionisdescendedtheprevalentnotion，whichIoftenencounteredinchildhood，thatthereissomethingpeculiarlywickedinkillingrobins。
[40]Euhemerismhasdoneitsbestwiththisbird，representingitasanimmensevultureorcondororasareminiscenceoftheextinctdodo。ButaChinesemyth，citedbyKlaproth，wellpreservesitstruecharacterwhenitdescribesitas“abirdwhichinflyingobscuresthesun，andofwhosequillsaremadewater-tuns。“SeeNouveauJournalAsiatique，Tom。XII。p。235。
ThebigbirdintheNorsetaleofthe“BlueBelt“belongstothesamespecies。
Now，astheravenorwoodpecker，inthevariousmythsofschamir，isthedarkstorm-cloud，sotherock-splittingwormorplantorpebblewhichthebirdcarriesinitsbeakandletsfalltothegroundisnothingmoreorlessthantheflashoflightningcarriedanddroppedbythecloud。“Ifthecloudwassupposedtobeagreatbird，thelightningswereregardedaswrithingwormsorserpentsinitsbeak。Thesefieryserpents，elikiaigram-moeidwsferomenoi，arebelievedintothisdaybytheCanadianIndians，whocallthethundertheirhissing。“[41]
[41]Baring-Gould，CuriousMyths，Vol。II。p。146。CompareTylor，PrimitiveCulture，Vol。II。p。237，seq。
Butthesearenottheonlymythicalconceptionswhicharetobefoundwrappedupinthevariousmythsofschamirandthedivining-rod。Thepersonswhotoldthesestorieswerenotweavingingeniousallegoriesaboutthunder-storms；theyweretellingstories，orgivingutterancetosuperstitions，ofwhichtheoriginalmeaningwasforgotten。Theoldgrannieswho，alongwithastoicalindifferencetothefateofquailsandpartridges，usedtoimpressuponmethewickednessofkillingrobins，didnotaddthatIshouldbestruckbylightningifIfailedtoheedtheiradmonitions。TheyhadneverheardthattherobinwasthebirdofThor；theymerelyrehearsedtheremnantofthesuperstitionwhichhadsurvivedtotheirowntimes，whiletheessentialpartofithadlongsincefadedfromrecollection。Thereasonforregardingarobin\'slifeasmoresacredthanapartridge\'shadbeenforgotten；butitleftbehind，aswasnatural，avaguerecognitionofthatmythicalsanctity。Theprimitivemeaningofamythfadesawayasinevitablyastheprimitivemeaningofawordorphrase；andtherabbinswhotoldofawormwhichshattersrocksnomorethoughtofthewrithingthunderboltsthanthemodernreaderthinksofoyster-shellswhenheseesthewordostracism，orconsciouslybreathesaprayerashewritesthephrasegoodbye。Itisonlyinitscallowinfancythatthefullforceofamythisfelt，anditsperiodofluxuriantdevelopmentdatesfromthetimewhenitsphysicalsignificanceislostorobscured。ItwasbecausetheGreekhadforgottenthatZeusmeantthebrightsky，thathecouldmakehimkingoverananthropomorphicOlympos。TheHinduDyaus，whocarriedhissignificanceinhisnameasplainlyastheGreekHelios，neverattainedsuchanexaltedposition；heyieldedtodeitiesoflessobviouspedigree，suchasBrahmaandVishnu。
Since，therefore，themyth-tellersrecountedmerelythewonderfulstorieswhichtheirownnursesandgrandmashadtoldthem，andhadnointentionofweavingsubtleallegoriesorwrappingupaphysicaltruthinmysticemblems，itfollowsthattheywerenotboundtoavoidincongruitiesortopreserveaphilosophicalsymmetryintheirnarratives。Inthegreatmajorityofcomplexmyths，nosuchsymmetryistobefound。A
scoreofdifferentmythicalconceptionswouldgetwroughtintothesamestory，andtheattempttopullthemapartandconstructasingleharmonioussystemofconceptionsoutofthepiecesmustoftenendiningeniousabsurdity。IfOdysseusisunquestionablythesun，soistheeyeofPolyphemos，whichOdysseusputsout。[42]ButtheGreekpoetknewnothingoftheincongruity，forhewasthinkingonlyofasuperhumanherofreeinghimselffromagiantcannibal；heknewnothingofSanskrit，orofcomparativemythology，andthesourcesofhismythswereascompletelyhiddenfromhisviewasthesourcesoftheNile。
[42]“IfPolyphemos\'seyebethesun，thenOdysseus，thesolarhero，extinguisheshimself，averyprimitiveinstanceofsuicide。“Mahaffy，Prolegomena，p。57。SeealsoBrown，Poseidon，pp。39，40。ThisobjectionwouldberelevantonlyincaseHomerweresupposedtobeconstructinganallegorywithentireknowledgeofitsmeaning。IthasnovaliditywhateverwhenwerecollectthatHomercouldhaveknownnothingoftheincongruity。
Weneednotbesurprised，then，tofindthatinoneversionoftheschamir-myththecloudisthebirdwhichcarriestheworm，whileinanotherversionthecloudistherockormountainwhichthetalismancleavesopen；norneedwewonderatit，ifwefindstoriesinwhichthetwoconceptionsaremingledtogetherwithoutregardtoanincongruitywhichinthemindofthemyth-tellernolongerexists。[43]
[43]TheSanskritmyth-tellerindeedmixesuphismaterialsinawaywhichseemsludicroustoaWesternreader。HedescribesIndra(thesun-god)asnotonlycleavingthecloud-mountainswithhissword，butalsocuttingofftheirwingsandhurlingthemfromthesky。SeeBurnouf，BhagavataPurana，VI。12，26。
InearlyAryanmythologythereisnothingbywhichthecloudsaremorefrequentlyrepresentedthanbyrocksormountains。
SuchweretheSymplegades，which，charmedbytheharpofthewind-godOrpheus，partedtomakewayforthetalkingshipArgo，withitscrewofsolarheroes。[44]Such，too，werethemountainsOssaandPelion，whichthegiantspileduponeuponanotherintheirimpiousassaultuponZeus，thelordofthebrightsky。AsMr。Baring-Gouldobserves:“TheancientAryanhadthesamenameforcloudandmountain。TohimthepilesofvapouronthehorizonweresolikeAlpineranges，thathehadbutonewordwherebytodesignateboth。[45]Thesegreatmountainsofheavenwereopenedbythelightning。Inthesuddenflashhebeheldthedazzlingsplendourwithin，butonlyforamoment，andthen，withacrash，thecelestialrocksclosedagain。Believingthesevaporouspilestocontainresplendenttreasuresofwhichpartialglimpsewasobtainedbymortalsinamomentarygleam，taleswerespeedilyformed，relatingtheadventuresofsomewhohadsucceededinenteringthesetreasure-mountains。“
[44]Mr。Tyloroffersadifferent，andpossiblyabetter，explanationoftheSymplegadesasthegatesofNightthroughwhichthesolarship，havingpassedsuccessfullyonce，mayhenceforthpassforever。SeethedetailsoftheevidenceinhisPrimitiveCulture，I。315。
[45]TheSanskritparvata，abulgingorinflatedbody，meansboth“cloud“and“mountain。““IntheEdda，too，therocks，saidtohavebeenfashionedoutofYmir\'sbones，aresupposedtobeintendedforclouds。InOldNorseKlakkrmeansbothcloudandrock；nay，theEnglishwordCLOUDitselfhasbeenidentifiedwiththeAnglo-Saxonclud，rock。SeeJusti，OrientundOccident，Vol。II。p。62。“MaxMuller，Rig-Veda，Vol。1。
p。44。
Thissuddenflashisthesmitingofthecloud-rockbythearrowofAhmed，theresistlesshammerofThor，thespearofOdin，thetridentofPoseidon，ortherodofHermes。Theforkedstreakoflightisthearchetypeofthedivining-rodinitsoldestform，——thatinwhichitnotonlyindicatesthehiddentreasures，but，likethestaffoftheIlsensteinshepherd，burstsopentheenchantedcryptandrevealsthemtotheastonishedwayfarer。Hencetheonethingessentialtothedivining-rod，fromwhatevertreeitbechosen，isthatitshallbeforked。
Itisnotdifficulttocomprehendthereasonswhichledtheancientstospeakofthelightningasaworm，serpent，trident，arrow，orforkedwand；butwhenweinquirewhyitwassometimessymbolizedasaflowerorleaf；orwhenweseektoascertainwhycertaintrees，suchastheash，hazel，white-thorn，andmistletoe，weresupposedtobeinacertainsenseembodimentsofit，weareenteringuponasubjecttoocomplicatedtobesatisfactorilytreatedwithinthelimitsofthepresentpaper。Ithasbeensaidthatthepointofresemblancebetweenacowandacomet，thatbothhavetails，wasquiteenoughfortheprimitiveword-maker:itwascertainlyenoughfortheprimitivemyth-teller。[46]Sometimesthepinnateshapeofaleaf，theforkingofabranch，thetri-cleftcorolla，oreventheredcolourofaflower，seemstohavebeensufficienttodeterminetheassociationofideas。
TheHinducommentatorsoftheVedacertainlylaygreatstressonthefactthatthepalasa，oneoftheirlightning-trees，istrident-leaved。Themistletoebranchisforked，likeawish-bone，[47]andsoisthestemwhichbearstheforget-me-notorwildscorpiongrass。SotootheleavesoftheHinduficusreligiosaresemblelongspear-heads。[48]Butinmanycasesitisimpossibleforustodeterminewithconfidencethereasonswhichmayhaveguidedprimitivemenintheirchoiceoftalismanicplants。Inthecaseofsomeofthesestories，itwouldnodoubtbewastingingenuitytoattempttoassignamythicaloriginforeachpointofdetail。
Theointmentofthedervise，forinstance，intheArabiantale，hasprobablynospecialmythicalsignificance，butwasrathersuggestedbytheexigenciesofthestory，inanagewhentheoldmythologiesweresofardisintegratedandmingledtogetherthatanyonetalismanwouldserveaswellasanotherthepurposesofthenarrator。Butthelightning-plantsofIndo-Europeanfolk-lorecannotbethussummarilydisposedof；
forhoweverdifficultitmaybeforustoperceiveanyconnectionbetweenthemandthecelestialphenomenawhichtheyrepresent，themythsconcerningthemaresonumerousandexplicitastorenderitcertainthatsomesuchconnectionwasimaginedbythemyth-makers。Thesuperstitionconcerningthehandofgloryisnotsohardtointerpret。InthemythologyoftheFinns，thestorm-cloudisablackmanwithabrightcopperhand；andinHindustan，IndraSavitar，thedeitywhoslaysthedemonofthecloud，isgolden-handed。Theselectionofthehandofamanwhohasbeenhangedisprobablyduetothesuperstitionwhichregardedthestorm-godOdinaspeculiarlythelordofthegallows。Themanwhoisraiseduponthegallowsisplaceddirectlyinthetrackofthewildhuntsman，whocomeswithhishoundstocarryoffthevictim；andhencethenotion，which，accordingtoMr。Kelly，is“verycommoninGermanyandnotextinctinEngland，“thateverysuicidebyhangingisfollowedbyastorm。
[46]Inaccordancewiththemediaeval“doctrineofsignatures，“itwasmaintained“thatthehard，stonyseedsoftheGromwellmustbegoodforgravel，andtheknottytubersofscrophulariaforscrofulousglands；whilethescalypappusofscaliosashowedittobeaspecificinleprousdiseases，thespottedleavesofpulmonariathatitwasasovereignremedyfortuberculouslungs，andthegrowthofsaxifrageinthefissuresofrocksthatitwoulddisintegratestoneinthebladder。“Prior，PopularNamesofBritishPlants，Introd。，p。
xiv。SeealsoChapiel，LaDoctrinedesSignatures。Paris，1866。
[47]Indeed，thewish-bone，orforkedclavicleofafowl，itselfbelongstothesamefamilyoftalismansasthedivining-rod。
[48]Theash，ontheotherhand，hasbeenfromtimeimmemorialusedforspearsinmanypartsoftheAryandomain。Thewordoescmeant，inAnglo-Saxon，indifferently“ash-tree，“or“spear“；andthesameis，orhasbeen，trueoftheFrenchfresneandtheGreekmelia。TherootofoescappearsintheSanskritas，“tothrow“or“lance，“whenceasa，“abow，“andasana，“anarrow。“SeePictet，OriginesIndo-Europeennes，I。
222。
Thepathsofcomparativemythologyaredevious，butwehavenowpursuedthemlongenoughIbelieve，tohavearrivedatatolerablyclearunderstandingoftheoriginalnatureofthedivining-rod。Itspowerofrevealingtreasureshasbeensufficientlyexplained；anditsaffinityforwaterresultssoobviouslyfromthecharacterofthelightning-mythastoneednofurthercomment。Butitspowerofdetectingcriminalsstillremainstobeaccountedfor。
InGreekmythology，thebeingwhichdetectsandpunishescrimeistheErinys，theprototypeoftheLatinFury，figuredbylatewritersasahorriblemonsterwithserpentlocks。Butthisisadegradationoftheoriginalconception。ThenameErinysdidnotoriginallymeanFury，anditcannotbeexplainedfromGreeksourcesalone。ItappearsinSanskritasSaranyu，awordwhichsignifiesthelightofmorningcreepingoverthesky。Andthusweareledtothestartlingconclusionthat，asthelightofmorningrevealstheevildeedsdoneunderthecoverofnight，sothelovelyDawn，orErinys，cametoberegardedunderoneaspectastheterribledetectorandavengerofiniquity。Yetstartlingastheconclusionis，itisbasedonestablishedlawsofphoneticchange，andcannotbegainsaid。
Butwhathastheavengingdaybreaktodowiththelightningandthedivining-rod？Tothemodernmindtheassociationisnotanobviousone:inantiquityitwasotherwise。Mythsofthedaybreakandmythsofthelightningoftenresembleeachothersocloselythat，exceptbyadelicatephilologicalanalysis，itisdifficulttodistinguishtheonefromtheother。Thereasonisobvious。Ineachcasethephenomenontobeexplainedisthestrugglebetweentheday-godandoneofthedemonsofdarkness。ThereisessentiallynodistinctiontothemindoftheprimitivemanbetweenthePanis，whostealIndra\'sbrightcowsandkeeptheminadarkcavernallnight，andthethrottlingsnakeAhiorEchidna，whoimprisonsthewatersinthestrongholdofthethunder-cloudandcoverstheearthwithashort-liveddarkness。AndsothepoisonedarrowsofBellerophon，whichslaythestorm-dragon，differinnoessentialrespectfromtheshaftswithwhichOdysseusslaughtersthenight-demonswhohavefortenlonghoursbesethismansion。Thusthedivining-rod，representingasitdoestheweaponofthegodofday，comeslegitimatelyenoughbyitsfunctionofdetectingandavengingcrime。
Butthelightningnotonlyrevealsstrangetreasuresandgiveswatertothethirstylandandmakesplainwhatisdoingundercoverofdarkness；italsosometimeskills，benumbs，orparalyzes。ThustheheadoftheGorgonMedusaturnsintostonethosewholookuponit。Thustheointmentofthedervise，inthetaleofBabaAbdallah，notonlyrevealsallthetreasuresoftheearth，butinstantlythereafterblindstheunhappymanwhotestsitspowers。Andthusthehandofglory，whichburstsopenbarsandbolts，benumbsalsothosewhohappentobenearit。Indeed，fewofthefavouredmortalswhowereallowedtovisitthecavernsopenedbysesameortheluck-flower，escapedwithoutdisaster。Themonkishtaleof“TheClerkandtheImage，“inwhichtheprimevalmythicalfeaturesarecuriouslydistorted，wellillustratesthispoint。
InthecityofRomethereformerlystoodanimagewithitsrighthandextendedandonitsforefingerthewords“strikehere。“Manywisemenpuzzledinvainoverthemeaningoftheinscription；butatlastacertainpriestobservedthatwheneverthesunshoneonthefigure，theshadowofthefingerwasdiscernibleonthegroundatalittledistancefromthestatue。Havingmarkedthespot，hewaiteduntilmidnight，andthenbegantodig。Atlasthisspadestruckuponsomethinghard。Itwasatrap-door，belowwhichaflightofmarblestepsdescendedintoaspacioushall，wheremanymenweresittinginsolemnsilenceamidpilesofgoldanddiamondsandlongrowsofenamelledvases。Beyondthishefoundanotherroom，agynaeciumfilledwithbeautifulwomenrecliningonrichlyembroideredsofas；yethere，too，allwasprofoundsilence。A
superbbanqueting-hallnextmethisastonishedgaze；thenasilentkitchen；thengranariesloadedwithforage；thenastablecrowdedwithmotionlesshorses。Thewholeplacewasbrilliantlylightedbyacarbunclewhichwassuspendedinonecornerofthereception-room；andoppositestoodanarcher，withhisbowandarrowraised，intheactoftakingaimatthejewel。Asthepriestpassedbackthroughthishall，hesawadiamond-hiltedknifelyingonamarbletable；andwishingtocarryawaysomethingwherewithtoaccredithisstory，hereachedouthishandtotakeit；butnosoonerhadhetoucheditthanallwasdark。Thearcherhadshotwithhisarrow，thebrightjewelwasshiveredintoathousandpieces，thestaircasehadfled，andthepriestfoundhimselfburiedalive。[49]
[49]CompareSpenser\'sstoryofSirGuyon，inthe“FaeryQueen，“where，however，theknightfaresbetterthanthispoorpriest。Usuallytheselightning-cavernswerelikeIxion\'streasure-house，intowhichnonemightlookandlive。ThisconceptionisthefoundationofpartofthestoryofBlue-BeardandoftheArabiantaleofthethirdone-eyedCalenderUsually，however，thoughthelightningiswonttostrikedead，withitsbasiliskglance，thosewhorashlyenteritsmysteriouscaverns，itisregardedratherasabenefactorthanasadestroyer。Thefeelingswithwhichthemyth-makingagecontemplatedthethunder-showerasitrevivedtheearthparalyzedbyalongdrought，areshowninthemythofOidipous。TheSphinx，whosenamesignifies“theonewhobinds，“isthedemonwhositsonthecloud-rockandimprisonstherain，muttering，darksayingswhichnonebuttheall-knowingsunmayunderstand。Theflashofsolarlightwhichcausesthemonstertoflingherselfdownfromthecliffwithafearfulroar，restoresthelandtoprosperity。Butbesidesthis，theassociationofthethunder-stormwiththeapproachofsummerhasproducedmanymythsinwhichthelightningissymbolizedasthelife-renewingwandofthevictorioussun-god。Hencetheuseofthedivining-rodinthecureofdisease；andhencethelargefamilyofschamir-mythsinwhichthedeadarerestoredtolifebyleavesorherbs。InGrimm\'staleoftheThreeSnakeLeaves，“aprinceisburiedalive(likeSindbad)withhisdeadwife，andseeingasnakeapproachingherbody，hecutsitinthreepieces。Presentlyanothersnake，crawlingfromthecorner，sawtheotherlyingdead，andgoing，awaysoonreturnedwiththreegreenleavesinitsmouth；thenlayingthepartsofthebodytogethersoastojoin，itputoneleafoneachwound，andthedeadsnakewasaliveagain。Theprince，applyingtheleavestohiswife\'sbody，restoresheralsotolife。“[50]IntheGreekstory，toldbyAElianandApollodoros，PolyidosisshutupwiththecorpseofGlaukos，whichheisorderedtorestoretolife。Hekillsadragonwhichisapproachingthebody，butispresentlyastonishedatseeinganotherdragoncomewithabladeofgrassandplaceituponitsdeadcompanion，whichinstantlyrisesfromtheground。Polyidostakesthesamebladeofgrass，andwithitresuscitatesGlaukos。ThesameincidentoccursintheHindustoryofPanchPhulRanee，andinFouque\'s“SirElidoc，“
whichisfoundedonaBretonlegend。
[50]Cox，MythologyoftheAryanNations，Vol。1。p。161。
Weneednotwonder，then，attheextraordinarytherapeuticpropertieswhichareinallAryanfolk-loreascribedtothevariouslightning-plants。InSwedensanitaryamuletsaremadeofmistletoe-twigs，andtheplantissupposedtobeaspecificagainstepilepsyandanantidoteforpoisons。InCornwallchildrenarepassedthroughholesinash-treesinordertocurethemofhernia。AshrodsareusedinsomepartsofEnglandforthecureofdiseasedsheep，cows，andhorses；andinparticulartheyaresupposedtoneutralizethevenomofserpents。Thenotionthatsnakesareafraidofanash-treeisnotextinctevenintheUnitedStates。TheotherdayIwastold，notbyanoldgranny，butbyamanfairlyeducatedandendowedwithaveryunusualamountofgoodcommon-sense，thatarattlesnakewillsoonergothroughfirethancreepoverashleavesorintotheshadowofanash-tree。ExactlythesamestatementismadebyPiny，whoaddsthatifyoudrawacirclewithanashrodaroundthespotofgroundonwhichasnakeislying，theanimalmustdieofstarvation，beingaseffectuallyimprisonedasUgolinointhedungeonatPisa。InCornwallitisbelievedthatablowfromanashstickwillinstantlykillanyserpent。Theashsharesthisvirtuewiththehazelandfern。ASwedishpeasantwilltellyouthatsnakesmaybedeprivedoftheirvenombyatouchwithahazelwand；andwhenanancientGreekhadoccasiontomakehisbedinthewoods，heselectedfernleavesifpossible，inthebeliefthatthesmellofthemwoulddriveawaypoisonousanimals。[51]
[51]Kelly，Indo-EuropeanFolk-Lore，pp。147，183，186，193。
Butthebeneficentcharacterofthelightningappearsstillmoreclearlyinanotherclassofmyths。Totheprimitivemantheshaftoflightcomingdownfromheavenwastypicaloftheoriginaldescentoffireforthebenefitandimprovementofthehumanrace。TheSiouxIndiansaccountfortheoriginoffirebyamythofunmistakablekinship；theysaythat“theirfirstancestorobtainedhisfirefromthesparkswhichafriendlypantherstruckfromtherocksashescamperedupastonyhill。“[52]ThispantherisobviouslythecounterpartoftheAryanbirdwhichdropsschamir。ButtheAryanimaginationhituponafarmoreremarkableconception。TheancientHindusobtainedfirebyaprocesssimilartothatemployedbyCountRumfordinhisexperimentsonthegenerationofheatbyfriction。Theyfirstwoundacoupleofcordsaroundapointedstickinsuchawaythattheunwindingoftheonewouldwinduptheother，andthen，placingthepointofthestickagainstacirculardiskofwood，twirleditrapidlybyalternatepullsonthetwostrings。Thisinstrumentiscalledachark，andisstillusedinSouthAfrica，[53]inAustralia，inSumatra，andamongtheVeddahsofCeylon。TheRussiansfounditinKamtchatka；anditwasformerlyemployedinAmerica，fromLabradortotheStraitsofMagellan。[54]TheHinduschurnedmilkbyasimilarprocess；[55]andinordertoexplainthethunder-storm，aSanskritpoemtellshow“onceuponatimetheDevas，orgods，andtheiropponents，theAsuras，madeatruce，andjoinedtogetherinchurningtheoceantoprocureamrita，thedrinkofimmortality。TheytookMountMandaraforachurning-stick，and，wrappingthegreatserpentSesharounditforarope，theymadethemountainspinroundtoandfro，theDevaspullingattheserpent\'stail，andtheAsurasatitshead。“[56]Inthismyththechurning-stick，withitsflyingserpent-cords，isthelightning，andthearmrita，ordrinkofimmortality，issimplytherain-water，whichinAryanfolk-lorepossessesthesamehealingvirtuesasthelightning。
“InSclavonicmythsitisthewateroflifewhichrestoresthedeadearth，awaterbroughtbyabirdfromthedepthsofagloomycave。“[57]ItisthecelestialsomaormeadwhichIndralovestodrink；itistheambrosialnectaroftheOlympiangods；itisthecharmedwaterwhichintheArabianNightsrestorestohumanshapethevictimsofwickedsorcerers；anditistheelixiroflifewhichmediaevalphilosopherstriedtodiscover，andinquestofwhichPoncedeLeontraversedthewildsofFlorida。[58]
[52]Brinton，MythsoftheNewWorld，p。151。
[53]Callaway，ZuluNurseryTales，I。173，Note12。
[54]Tylor，EarlyHistoryofMankind，p。238；PrimitiveCulture，Vol。II。p。254；Darwin，Naturalist\'sVoyage，p。409。
“Jacky\'snextproceedingwastogetsomedrysticksandwood，andprepareafire，which，toGeorge\'sastonishment，helightedthus。Hegotablockofwood，inthemiddleofwhichhemadeahole；thenhecutandpointedalongstick，andinsertingthepointintotheblock，workeditroundbetweenhispalmsforsometimeandwithincreasingrapidity。
Presentlytherecameasmellofburningwood，andsoonafteritburstintoaflameatthepointofcontact。Jackycutslicesofsharkandroastedthem。“——Reade，NevertooLatetoMend，chap。xxxviii。
[55]Theproductionoffirebythedrillisoftencalledchurning，e。g。“Hetooktheuvati[chark]，andsatdownandchurnedit，andkindledafire。“Callaway，ZuluNurseryTales，I。174。
[56]Kelly，Indo-EuropeanFolk-Lore，p。39。Burnouf，BhagavataPurana，VIII。6，32。
[57]Baring-Gould，CuriousMyths，p。149。
[58]Itisalsotheregeneratingwaterofbaptism，andthe“holywater“oftheRomanCatholic。
ThemostinterestingpointinthisHindumythisthenameofthepeakedmountainMandara，orManthara，whichthegodsanddevilstookfortheirchurning-stick。Thewordmeans“achurning-stick，“anditappearsalso，withaprefixedpreposition，inthenameofthefire-drill，pramantha。NowKuhnhasprovedthatthisname，pramantha，isetymologicallyidenticalwithPrometheus，thenameofthebeneficentTitan，whostolefirefromheavenandbestowedituponmankindastherichestofboons。Thissublimepersonagewasoriginallynothingbutthecelestialdrillwhichchurnsfireoutoftheclouds；buttheGreekshadsoentirelyforgottenhisoriginthattheyinterpretedhisnameasmeaning“theonewhothinksbeforehand，“andaccreditedhimwithabrother，Epimetheus，or“theonewhothinkstoolate。“TheGreekshadadoptedanothername，trypanon，fortheirfire-drill，andthustheprimitivecharacterofPrometheusbecameobscured。
Ihavesaidabovethatitwasregardedasabsolutelyessentialthatthedivining-rodshouldbeforked。Tothisrule，however，therewasoneexception，andifanyfurtherevidencebeneededtoconvincethemostscepticalthatthedivining-rodisnothingbutasymbolofthelightning，thatexceptionwillfurnishsuchevidence。Forthisexceptionalkindofdivining-rodwasmadeofapointedstickrotatinginablockofwood，anditwasthepresenceofhiddenwaterortreasurewhichwassupposedtoexcitetherotatorymotion。
InthemythsrelatingtoPrometheus，thelightning-godappearsastheoriginatorofcivilization，sometimesasthecreatorofthehumanrace，andalwaysasitsfriend，[59]sufferinginitsbehalfthemostfearfultorturesatthehandsofthejealousZeus。Inonestoryhecreatesmanbymakingaclayimageandinfusingintoitasparkofthefirewhichhehadbroughtfromheaven；inanotherstoryheishimselfthefirstman。InthePeloponnesianmythPhoroneus，whoisPrometheusunderanothername，isthefirstman，andhismotherwasanash-tree。InNorsemythology，also，thegodsweresaidtohavemadethefirstmanoutoftheash-treeYggdrasil。Theassociationoftheheavenlyfirewiththelife-givingforcesofnatureisverycommoninthemythsofbothhemispheres，andinviewofthefactsalreadyciteditneednotsurpriseus。HencetheHinduAgniandtheNorseThorwerepatronsofmarriage，andinNorway，themostluckydayonwhichtobemarriedisstillsupposedtobeThursday，whichinoldtimeswasthedayofthefire-god。[60]Hencethelightning-plantshavediversvirtuesinmatterspertainingtomarriage。TheRomansmadetheirweddingtorchesofwhitethorn；hazel-nutsarestillusedalloverEuropeindivinationsrelatingtothefutureloverorsweetheart；[61]andunderamistletoeboughitisallowableforagentlemantokissalady。AvastnumberofkindredsuperstitionsaredescribedbyMr。Kelly，towhomIamindebtedformanyoftheseexamples。[62]
[59]IntheVedastherain-godSoma，originallythepersonificationofthesacrificialambrosia，isthedeitywhoimpartstomenlife，knowledge，andhappiness。SeeBreal，HerculeetCacus，p。85。Tylor，PrimitiveCulture，Vol。II。p。
277。
[60]Wemay，perhaps，seeherethereasonformakingtheGreekfire-godHephaistosthehusbandofAphrodite。
[61]“Ourcountrymaidensarewellawarethattripleleavespluckedathazardfromthecommonashareworninthebreast，forthepurposeofcausingpropheticdreamsrespectingadilatorylover。Theleavesoftheyellowtrefoilaresupposedtopossesssimilarvirtues。“——HarlandandWilkinson，LancashireFolk-Lore，p。20。
[62]InPeru，amightyandfar-worshippeddeitywasCatequil，thethunder-god，……hewhointhunder-flashandclaphurlsfromhisslingthesmall，round，smooththunder-stones，treasuredinthevillagesasfire-fetishesandcharmstokindletheflamesoflove。“——Tylor，op。cit。Vol。II。p。239
Thuswereachatlastthecompletedconceptionofthedivining-rod，orasitiscalledinthissensethewish-rod，withitskindredtalismans，fromAladdin\'slampandthepurseofBedreddinHassan，totheSangreal，thephilosopher\'sstone，andthegobletsofOberonandTristram。Thesesymbolsofthereproductiveenergiesofnature，whichgivetothepossessoreverygoodandperfectgift，illustratetheuncurbedbeliefinthepowerofwishwhichtheancientmansharedwithmodernchildren。IntheNorsestoryofFrodi\'squern，themythassumesawhimsicalshape。TheproseEddatellsofaprimevalageofgold，wheneverybodyhadwhateverhewanted。ThiswasbecausethegiantFrodihadamillwhichgroundoutpeaceandplentyandabundanceofgoldwithal，sothatitlayabouttheroadslikepebbles。ThroughtheinexcusableavariceofFrodi，thiswonderfulimplementwaslosttotheworld。Forhekepthismaid-servantsworkingatthemilluntiltheygotoutofpatience，andbegantomakeitgrindouthatredandwar。Thencameamightysea-roverbynightandslewFrodiandcarriedawaythemaidsandthequern。Whenhegotwellouttosea，hetoldthemtogrindoutsalt，andsotheydidwithavengeance。
Theygroundtheshipfullofsaltandsankit，andsothequernwaslostforever，butthesearemainssaltuntothisday。
Mr。KellyrightlyidentifiesFrodiwiththesun-godFroorFreyr，andobservesthatthemagicmillisonlyanotherformofthefire-churn，orchark。Accordingtoanotherversionthequernisstillgrindingawayandkeepingtheseasalt，andovertheplacewhereitliesthereisaprodigiouswhirlpoolormaelstromwhichsucksdownships。
Initscompletedshape，thelightning-wandisthecaduceus，orrodofHermes。Iobserved，intheprecedingpaper，thatintheGreekconceptionofHermestherehavebeenfusedtogethertheattributesoftwodeitieswhowereoriginallydistinct。TheHermesoftheHomericHymnisawind-god；butthelaterHermesAgoraios，thepatronofgymnasia，themutilationofwhosestatuescausedsuchterribleexcitementinAthensduringthePeloponnesianWar，isaverydifferentpersonage。Heisafire-god，investedwithmanysolarattributes，andrepresentsthequickeningforcesofnature。InthiscapacitytheinventionoffirewasascribedtohimaswellastoPrometheus；hewassaidtobethefriendofmankind，andwassurnamedPloutodotes，or“thegiverofwealth。“
TheNorsewind-godOdinhasinlikemanneracquiredseveraloftheattributesofFreyrandThor。[63]Hislightning-spear，whichisborrowedfromThor，appearsbyacomicalmetamorphosisasawish-rodwhichwilladministerasoundthrashingtotheenemiesofitspossessor。Havingcutahazelstick，youhaveonlytolaydownanoldcoat，nameyourintendedvictim，wishhewasthere，andwhackaway:hewillhowlwithpainateveryblow。ThiswonderfulcudgelappearsinDasent\'staleof“TheLadwhowenttotheNorthWind，“withwhichwemayconcludethisdiscussion。Thestoryistold，withlittlevariation，inHindustan，Germany，andScandinavia。
[63]InPolynesia，“thegreatdeityMauiaddsanewcomplicationtohisenigmaticsolar-celestialcharacterbyappearingasawind-god。“——Tylor，op。cit。Vol。II。p。242。
TheNorthWind，representingthemischievousHermes，onceblewawayapoorwoman\'smeal。SoherboywenttotheNorthWindanddemandedhisrightsforthemealhismotherhadlost。“I
haven\'tgotyourmeal，“saidtheWind，“buthere\'satableclothwhichwillcoveritselfwithanexcellentdinnerwheneveryoutellitto。“Sotheladtooktheclothandstartedforhome。Atnightfallhestoppedataninn，spreadhisclothonthetable，andorderedittocoveritselfwithgoodthings，andsoitdid。Butthelandlord，whothoughtitwouldbemoneyinhispockettohavesuchacloth，stoleitaftertheboyhadgonetobed，andsubstitutedanotherjustlikeitinappearance。Nextdaytheboywenthomeingreatgleetoshowoffforhismother\'sastonishmentwhattheNorthWindhadgivenhim，butallthedinnerhegotthatdaywaswhattheoldwomancookedforhim。InhisdespairhewentbacktotheNorthWindandcalledhimaliar，andagaindemandedhisrightsforthemealhehadlost。“Ihaven\'tgotyourmeal，“saidtheWind，“buthere\'saramwhichwilldropmoneyoutofitsfleecewheneveryoutellitto。“Sotheladtravelledhome，stoppingovernightatthesameinn，andwhenhegothomehefoundhimselfwitharamwhichdidn\'tdropcoinsoutofitsfleece。AthirdtimehevisitedtheNorthWind，andobtainedabagwithastickinitwhich，atthewordofcommand，wouldjumpoutofthebagandlayonuntiltoldtostop。Guessinghowmattersstoodastohisclothandram，heturnedinatthesametavern，andgoingtoabenchlaydownasiftosleep。Thelandlordthoughtthatastickcarriedaboutinabagmustbeworthsomething，andsohestolequietlyuptothebag，meaningtogetthestickoutandchangeit。Butjustashegotwithinwhackingdistance，theboygavetheword，andoutjumpedthestickandbeatthethiefuntilhepromisedtogivebacktheramandthetablecloth。AndsotheboygothisrightsforthemealwhichtheNorthWindhadblownaway。October，1870。
III。WEREWOLVESANDSWAN-MAIDENS。
ITisrelatedbyOvidthatLykaon，kingofArkadia，onceinvitedZeustodinner，andservedupforhimadishofhumanflesh，inordertotestthegod\'somniscience。Butthetrickmiserablyfailed，andtheimpiousmonarchreceivedthepunishmentwhichhiscrimehadmerited。Hewastransformedintoawolf，thathemighthenceforthfeedupontheviandswithwhichhehaddaredtopollutethetableofthekingofOlympos。Fromthattimeforth，accordingtoPliny，anobleArkadianwaseachyear，onthefestivalofZeusLykaios，ledtothemarginofacertainlake。Hanginghisclothesuponatree，hethenplungedintothewaterandbecameawolf。Forthespaceofnineyearsheroamedabouttheadjacentwoods，andthen，ifhehadnottastedhumanfleshduringallthistime，hewasallowedtoswimbacktotheplacewherehisclotheswerehanging，putthemon，andreturntohisnaturalform。ItisfurtherrelatedofacertainDemainetos，that，havingoncebeenpresentatahumansacrificetoZeusLykaios，heateoftheflesh，andwastransformedintoawolfforatermoftenyears。[64]
[64]ComparePlato，Republic，VIII。15。
Theseandothersimilarmythicalgermsweredevelopedbythemediaevalimaginationintothehorriblesuperstitionofwerewolves。
Awerewolf，orloup-garou[65]wasapersonwhohadthepoweroftransforminghimselfintoawolf，beingendowed，whileinthelupinestate，withtheintelligenceofaman，theferocityofawolf，andtheirresistiblestrengthofademon。Theancientsbelievedintheexistenceofsuchpersons；butintheMiddleAgesthemetamorphosiswassupposedtobeaphenomenonofdailyoccurrence，andevenatthepresentday，insecludedportionsofEurope，thesuperstitionisstillcherishedbypeasants。Thebelief，moreover，issupportedbyavastamountofevidence，whichcanneitherbearguednorpooh-poohedintoinsignificance。Itisthebusinessofthecomparativemythologisttotracethepedigreeoftheideasfromwhichsuchaconceptionmayhavesprung；whiletothecriticalhistorianbelongsthetaskofascertainingandclassifyingtheactualfactswhichthisparticularconceptionwasusedtointerpret。
[65]Were-wolf=man-wolf，wermeaning“man。“GarouisaGalliccorruptionofwerewolf，sothatloup-garouisatautologicalexpression。
Themediaevalbeliefinwerewolvesisespeciallyadaptedtoillustratethecomplicatedmannerinwhichdiversmythicalconceptionsandmisunderstoodnaturaloccurrenceswillcombinetogeneratealong-enduringsuperstition。Mr。Cox，indeed，wouldhaveusbelievethatthewholenotionarosefromanunintentionalplayuponwords；butthecarefulsurveyofthefield，whichhasbeentakenbyHertzandBaring-Gould，leadstotheconclusionthatmanyothercircumstanceshavebeenatwork。Thedelusion，thoughdoubtlesspurelymythicalinitsorigin，neverthelesspresentsinitsdevelopedstateacuriousmixtureofmythicalandhistoricalelements。
WithregardtotheArkadianlegend，takenbyitself，Mr。Coxisprobablyright。Thestoryseemstobelongtothatlargeclassofmythswhichhavebeendevisedinordertoexplainthemeaningofequivocalwordswhosetruesignificancehasbeenforgotten。TheepithetLykaios，asappliedtoZeus，hadoriginallynoreferencetowolves:itmeans“thebrightone，“
andgaverisetolycanthropiclegendsonlybecauseofthesimilarityinsoundbetweenthenamesfor“wolf“and“brightness。“Aryanmythologyfurnishesnumerousotherinstancesofthisconfusion。Thesolardeity，PhoibosLykegenes，wasoriginallythe“offspringoflight“；butpopularetymologymadeakindofwerewolfofhimbyinterpretinghisnameasthe“wolf-born。“ThenameoftheheroAutolykosmeanssimplythe“self-luminous“；butitwasmorefrequentlyinterpretedasmeaning“averywolf，“inallusiontothesupposedcharacterofitspossessor。Bazra，thenameofthecitadelofCarthage，wasthePunicwordfor“fortress“；
buttheGreeksconfoundeditwithbyrsa，“ahide，“andhencethestoryoftheox-hidescutintostripsbyDidoinordertomeasuretheareaoftheplacetobefortified。TheoldtheorythattheIrishwerePhoenicianshadasimilarorigin。ThenameFena，usedtodesignatetheoldScotiorIrish，isthepluralofFion，“fair，“seeninthenameoftheheroFionGall，or“Fingal“；butthemonkishchroniclersidentifiedFenawithphoinix，whencearosethemyth；andbyalikemisunderstandingoftheepithetMiledh，or“warrior，“appliedtoFionbytheGaelicbards，therewasgeneratedamythicalhero，Milesius，andthesoubriquet“Milesian，“colloquiallyemployedinspeakingoftheIrish。[66]SotheFranksexplainedthenameofthetownDaras，inMesopotamia，bythestorythattheEmperorJustinianonceaddressedthechiefmagistratewiththeexclamation，daras，“thoushaltgive“:[67]theGreekchronicler，Malalas，whospellsthenameDoras，informsuswithequalcomplacencythatitwastheplacewhereAlexanderovercameCodomannuswithdorn，“thespear。“AcertainpassageintheAlpsiscalledScaletta，fromitsresemblancetoastaircase；butaccordingtoalocaltraditionitowesitsnametothebleachingskeletonsofacompanyofMoorswhoweredestroyedthereintheeighthcentury，whileattemptingtopenetrateintoNorthernItaly。ThenameofAntwerpdenotesthetownbuiltata“wharf“；butitsoundsverymuchliketheFlemishhandtwerpen，“hand-throwing“:“hencearosethelegendofthegiantwhocutofthehandsofthosewhopassedhiscastlewithoutpayinghimblack-mail，andthrewthemintotheScheldt。“[68]InthemythofBishopHatto，relatedinapreviouspaper，theMause-thurmisacorruptionofmaut-thurm；
itmeans“customs-tower，“andhasnothingtodowithmiceorrats。Doubtlessthisetymologywasthecauseofthefloatingmythgettingfastenedtothisparticularplace；thatitdidnotgiverisetothemythitselfisshownbytheexistenceofthesametaleinotherplaces。SomewhereinEnglandthereisaplacecalledChateauVert；thepeasantryhavecorrupteditintoShotover，andsaythatithasbornethatnameeversinceLittleJohnshotoverahighhillintheneighbourhood。[69]
Latiummeans“theflatland“；but，accordingtoVirgil，itistheplacewhereSaturnoncehid(latuisset)fromthewrathofhisusurpingsonJupiter。[70]
[66]Meyer，inBunsen\'sPhilosophyofUniversalHistory，Vol。
I。p。151。
[67]Aimoin，DeGestisFrancorum，II。5。
[68]Taylor，WordsandPlaces，p。393。
[69]Verysimilartothisistheetymologicalconfusionuponwhichisbasedthemythofthe“confusionoftongues“intheeleventhchapterofGenesis。Thename“Babel“isreallyBab-Il，or“thegateofGod“；buttheHebrewwritererroneouslyderivesthewordfromtherootbalal，“toconfuse“；andhencearisesthemythicalexplanation，——thatBabelwasaplacewherehumanspeechbecameconfused。SeeRawlinson，inSmith\'sDictionaryoftheBible，Vol。I。p。149；
Renan，HistoiredesLanguesSemitiques，Vol。I。p。32；
Donaldson，NewCratylus，p。74，note；ColensoonthePentateuch，Vol。IV。p。268。
[70]Vilg。AEn。VIII。322。WithLatiumcompareplat？s，Skr。
prath(tospreadout)，Eng。flat。Ferrar，ComparativeGrammarofGreek，Latin，andSanskrit，Vol。I。p。31。
ItwasinthiswaythattheconstellationoftheGreatBearreceiveditsname。TheGreekwordarktos，answeringtotheSanskritriksha，meantoriginallyanybrightobject，andwasappliedtothebear——forwhatreasonitwouldnotbeeasytostate——andtothatconstellationwhichwasmostconspicuousinthelatitudeoftheearlyhomeoftheAryans。WhentheGreekshadlongforgottenwhythesestarswerecalledarktoi，theysymbolizedthemasaGreatBearfixedinthesky。Sothat，asMaxMullerobserves，“thenameoftheArcticregionsrestsonamisunderstandingofanameframedthousandsofyearsagoinCentralAsia，andthesurprisewithwhichmanyathoughtfulobserverhaslookedatthesesevenbrightstars，wonderingwhytheywereevercalledtheBear，isremovedbyareferencetotheearlyannalsofhumanspeech。“AmongtheAlgonquinsthesun-godMichabowasrepresentedasahare，hisnamebeingcompoundedofmichi，“great，“andwabos，“ahare“；yetwabosalsomeant“white，“sothatthegodwasdoubtlessoriginallycalledsimply“theGreatWhiteOne。“ThesamenaiveprocesshasmadebearsoftheArkadians，whosename，likethatoftheLykians，merelysignifiedthattheywere“childrenoflight“；
andthemetamorphosisofKallisto，motherofArkas，intoabear，andofLykaonintoawolf，restsapparentlyuponnootherfoundationthananerroneousetymology。OriginallyLykaonwasneithermannorwolf；hewasbutanotherformofPhoibosLykegenes，thelight-bornsun，and，asMr。Coxhasshown，hislegendisbutavariationofthatofTantalos，whointimeofdroughtofferstoZeusthefleshofhisownoffspring，thewitheredfruits，andispunishedforhisimpiety。
Itseemstome，however，thatthisexplanation，thoughvalidasfarasitgoes，isinadequatetoexplainallthefeaturesofthewerewolfsuperstition，ortoaccountforitspresenceinallAryancountriesandamongmanypeopleswhoarenotofAryanorigin。Therecanbenodoubtthatthemyth-makerstransformedLykaonintoawolfbecauseofhisunluckyname；
becausewhatreallymeant“brightman“seemedtothemtomean“wolf-man“；butithasbynomeansbeenprovedthatasimilarequivocationoccurredinthecaseofalltheprimitiveAryanwerewolves，norhasitbeenshowntobeprobablethatamongeachpeoplethebeingwiththeuncannynamegotthusaccidentallyconfoundedwiththeparticularbeastmostdreadedbythatpeople。EtymologyalonedoesnotexplainthefactthatwhileGaulhasbeenthefavouritehauntoftheman-wolf，Scandinaviahasbeenpreferredbytheman-bear，andHindustanbytheman-tiger。Toaccountforsuchawidespreadphenomenonwemustseekamoregeneralcause。
