the words _parum castis lucis_ may mean groves or parts of woods, the haunt of unclean spirits or Skovtrolds, _satyri lascivi et salaces_. The word _Trold_ will be explained below. [98] The Dark Alfs were probably different from the Duergar, yet the language of the prose Edda is in some places such as to lead to a confusion of them. The following passage, however, seems to be decisive: Náir, Dvergar _Ok_ Döck-A'lfar. Hrafna-Galdr Othins, xxiv. 7. Ghosts, Dwarfs _And_ Dark Alfs. Yet the Scandinavian literati appear unanimous in regarding them as the same. Grimm, however, agrees with us in viewing the Döck-Alfar as distinct from the Duergar. As the abode of these last is named Svartálfaheimr, he thinks that the Svartálfar and the Duergar were the same.--Deutsche Mythologie, p. 413, _seq._ See below, _Isle of Rügen_. [99] The ash-tree, Yggdrasil, is the symbol of the universe, the Urdar-fount is the fount of light and heat, which invigorates and sustains it. A good representation of this myth is given in Mr. Bohn's edition of Mallet's "Northern Antiquities," which the reader is recommended to consult. [100] This Grimm (_ut sup._) regards as an error of the writer, who confounded the _Döck_ and the _Svartálfar_. [101] See Tales and Popular Fictions, p. 274. [102] The analogy of Deev, and other words of like import, might lead to the supposition of Spirit being the primary meaning of Alf. [103] See Mythology of Greece and Italy, p. 248, second edition. [104] After the introduction of Christianity, _Engel_, angel, was employed for _Alp_ in most proper names, as Engelrich, Engelhart, etc. [105] See MM. Grimm's learned Introduction to their translation of the Irish Fairy Legends, and the Deutsche Mythologie of J. Grimm. [106] MM. Grimm suppose with a good deal of probability, that these are compounds formed to render the Greek ones, and are not expressive of a belief in analogous classes of spirits. THE DUERGAR. By ek fur jörth nethan, A ek, undir stein, stath. ALVIS-MAL. I dwell the earth beneath, I possess, under the stone, my seat. These diminutive beings, dwelling in rocks and hills, and distinguished for their skill in metallurgy, seem to be peculiar to the Gotho-German mythology.[107] Perhaps the most probable account of them is, that they are personifications of the subterraneous powers of nature; for it may be again observed, that all the parts of every ancient mythology are but personified powers, attributes, and moral qualities. The Edda thus describes their origin:--