In Northern Mists Volume I Part 35

[372] My attention has been drawn to this by Mr. Gunnar Olsen. Similar myths are found in j.a.pan [cf. D. Brauns, j.a.panische Marchen und Sagen, 1885, pp. 146 ff.].

[373] Gronl. hist. Mind., i. pp. 144 f., 157 ff.

[374] This belongs to the same cycle of ideas as that of the dead rising from their graves or from the lower regions at night, but being obliged to go down again at dawn, or of trolls having to conceal themselves before the sun rises. In the same way, too, the fallen Helge Hundingsbane comes to Sigrun and sleeps with her in the mound; but when the flush of day comes he has to ride back to the west of "Vindhjelms" bridge, before Salgovne awakes. It has been pointed out above (p. 371) that the Phaeacians of the Odyssey sail at night.

[375] According to the "Guta-saga" of the thirteenth century.

[376] Cf. Moltke Moe's communications in A. h.e.l.land, Nordlands Amt, 1907, ii. pp. 512 ff. In Brinck's Descriptio Loufodiae [1676, p. ii] it is stated that the mythical land of Utrost in Nordland was called "Huldeland."

[377] Cf. F. Lot, "Romania," 1898, p. 530. Moltke Moe has also communicated to me this curious tale.

[378] Cf. P. Crofton Croker, 1828, ii. p. 259 f.

[379] Cf. "Lageniensis," 1870, pp. 114 ff., 294; Joyce, 1879, p. 408. V.

Berard [1902, i. p. 286] explains the Roman name "Ispania" (Spain) as coming from a Semitic (Phnician) root "sapan" (== hide, cover) denoting "the isle of the hidden one," which he thinks originally meant Calypso's isle; this he seeks to locate on the African coast near Gibraltar. The explanation seems very doubtful; but if there be anything in it, it is remarkable that Spain, the land rich in silver and gold, should have a name that recalls the huldre-lands (lands of the hidden ones).

[380] Cf. E. B. Tylor: Primitive Culture, 1891, ii. pp. 63 ff.

[381] Asbjornsen: Huldre-Eventyr og Folke-Sagn, 3rd ed., pp. 343 ff.; "Tufte-folket p Sandflaesen." Cf. also Moltke Moe's note in A. h.e.l.land: Nordlands Amt, i. pp. 519 f.

[382] The name of "Lycko-Par" in Sweden for one who "has luck" [Th.

Hielmqvist, Fornamn och Familjenamn med sekundar anvandning i Nysvenskan, Lund, 1903, p. 267] has come from the Danish "Lykke-Per," which is a purely literary production, and does not concern us here.

[383] In Norway the "nisse" brings luck. "Lycko-nisse" in Smland (Sweden) is a "luck-bringing brownie. Also used occasionally of little friendly children" [Th. Hielmqvist, 1903, p. 224].

[384] Cf. Moltke Moe's communications in A. h.e.l.land: Nordlands Amt, 1907, ii. pp. 596 f.

[385] Conceptions of a somewhat similar nature appear in the legends of Arthur, where only the pure, or innocent, are permitted to see the Holy Grail.

[386] The names Finmark (the land of the Finns or Lapps) and Finland were often confused in the Middle Ages (cf. Geographia Universalis, Eulogium, Polychronicon, Edrisi), and the latter again with Wineland (cf. Ordericus Vitalis, Polychronicon). It should be remarked that Adam does not know the name "Finn," but only "Finnedi" and "Scritefini."

[387] It must be remembered that Kvaenland (Woman-land), like Norway and "the island of Halagland" (!), were neighbouring countries to Sweden, where King Svein had lived for twelve years, the same who is supposed to have told Adam so much about the countries of the North; and between Sweden and Russia (Gardarike) there was also active communication at that time.