The toothworm originated from a bit of bone gnawed by a fox (37g). One of the bases on which sympathetic magic rests is the belief that to imitate an action produces a similar result. The thought underlying this origin is perfectly analogous. The gnawing of a bone by a fox produces a gnawing of the teeth by a toothworm, partly from the likeness of the action, partly from the likeness of material of bones and teeth.
17. S. originates from O. by an action (striking). Descriptive points in the narrative hint at the nature and habitat of S.
Fire (42a, e) is struck in the sky by the Thunder-god, or other demiurge, from a sword, and given to a maiden to nurse. While doing so she drops it — probably because it burnt her, though the reason is not stated— to the earth, where it burns up a great tract of country, and finally hid in a tree. In another version it is squeezed into birch fungus, or tinder spunk, by a demiurge, an incident which accounts for this material easily taking fire and smouldering for a long time. Gripes and colic originated from a lean Lapp boy striking a man on the chest with a bloody axe (31c).
The Tuba Tatars relate that fire was invented by Ulgon's three daughters striking iron against a stone, though they only did so after overhearing a sarcastic remark which Kudai (God) had made to himself with regard to them.[1]
18. L. S. originates from spinning. Its members made of all sorts of contemptuous and harmful things.
A snake is spun by Evil Beings, but its head is made of a bad bean, its eyes of Lempo's flax seed, its ears of Lempo's birch, its snout of Tuoni's pick, etc. (11h).
19. S. is made quite naturatty from O. by human or quasi-human agency. Some descriptive remarks Jiint at the qualities, pj'operties, use, etc., of S.
Arrows are made by a sorcerer from a tall pine that
- ↑ Radloff, Proben d. Volkslitt., i, p. 286.
