So it happens that, with an hundred hymns addressed to Soma, it remains still a matter of discussion whether the _soma_ addressed be the plant or the moon. Alfred Hillebrandt, to whom is due the problem in its present form, declares that everywhere[19] in the Rig Veda Soma means the moon. No better hymn can be found to illustrate the difficulty under which labors the _soma_-exegete than IX. 15, from which Hillebrandt takes the fourth verse as conclusive evidence that by _soma_ only the moon is meant. In that case, as will be seen from the 'pails,' it must be supposed that the poet leaps from Soma to _soma_ without warning. Hillebrandt does not include the mention of the pails in his citation; but in this, as in other doubtful cases, it seems to us better to give a whole passage than to argue on one or two verses torn from their proper position: HYMN TO SOMA (IX. 15). QUERY: Is the hymn addressed to the plant as it is pressed out into the pails, or to the moon? 1. This one, by means of prayer (or intelligence), comes through the fine (sieve), the hero, with swift car, going to the meeting with Indra. 2. This one thinks much for the sublime assembly of gods, where sit immortals. 3. This one is despatched and led upon a shining path, when the active ones urge (him).[20] 4. This one, shaking his horns, sharpens (them), the bull of the herd, doing heroic deeds forcibly. 5. This one hastens, the strong steed, with bright golden beams, becoming of streams the lord. 6. This one, pressing surely through the knotty (sieve?) to good things, comes down into the vessels. 7. This one, fit to be prepared, the active ones prepare in the pails, as he creates great food. 8. Him, this one, who has good weapons, who is most intoxicating, ten fingers and seven (or many) prayers prepare. Here, as in IX. 70, Hillebrandt assumes that the poet turns suddenly from the moon to the plant. Against this might be urged the use of the same pronoun throughout the hymn. It must be confessed that at first sight it is almost as difficult to have the plant, undoubtedly meant in verses 7 and 8, represented by the moon in the preceding verses, as it is not to see the moon in the expression 'shaking his horns.' This phrase occurs in another hymn, where Hillebrandt, with the same certainty as he does here, claims it for the moon, though the first part of this hymn as plainly refers to the plant, IX. 70. 1, 4. Here the plant is a steer roaring like the noise of the Maruts (5-6), and then (as above, after the term steer is applied to the plant), it is said that he 'sharpens his horns,' and is 'sightly,' and further, 'he sits down in the fair place ... on the wooly back,' etc., which bring one to still another hymn where are to be found like expressions, used, evidently, not of the moon, but of the plant, _viz._ to IX. 37, a hymn not cited by Hillebrandt: