Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 2 1884.djvu/134

126 "Achilles" (52 pages), in which the author decides for the original river-god character of the hero; on "Æneas" (44 pages); on the "Amazons" (12 pages), in which the author comes to the conclusion that the various traditions cannot possibly be referred to one source, either mythic or historic, but are of different origins; on "Ammon," which, like the remaining Egyptian and Eastern articles, is the work of Professor E. Meyer, the author of the excellent monograph recently published on the identity of the Gardharvas and the Centaurs, &c.

The contents of these handsome volumes are as follows:—Bibliography—Introduction—cap. i. The Fairy Garland; ii. From Pixy to Puck; iii. The Virgins' Bower; iv. Bridal Wreaths and Bouquets; v. Flowers for Heroes, Saints, and Gods; vi. Traditions about Flowers; vii. Proverbs of Flowers and Plants; viii. Flowers and the Seasons; ix. The Magic Wand; x. Superstitions about Flowers; xi. Flowers and Showers; xii. Curious Beliefs of Herbalists; xiii. Sprigs and Sprays in Heraldry: xiv. Strange Facts about Plants' Names; xv. The Language of Flowers; xvi. Rustic Flower Names; xvii. Peculiar uses of Flowers and Plants; xviii. Witches and their Flower-Lore; xix. Flowers and the Dead; xx. Wreaths and Chaplets; Critical and Biographical Notes; Index to illustrations; Index to names and matter; additions and corrections.

Although Mr. Friend is careful to tell us that he does not pretend to be exhaustive, there can be no doubt that he has fulfilled his task well, and has produced a book which must for some time to come yet be the text-book on the subject. We know that Mr. Britten has worked long at this subject, and we may expect some day to see the result of his researches; but still Mr. Friend has proceeded along a path of his own, and has some considerable claims to be considered a pioneer. Flowers might be expected to produce a wonderful growth of superstitious fancy and belief, but perhaps few would have expected that there was so much to be said about them and so much still left unsaid. Mr. Friend's travels in China and elsewhere have shown him personally how much is to be gained from comparative folk-lore, and he is not slow to utilise this experience, by which we have pre-