Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 2 1884.djvu/352

344 frequently show a tendency to run into one another; and it is sometimes difficult to say to which class a given specimen may properly belong. This will be found particularly the case with the classes of Worship, Folk-law, and Folk-leechcraft; and even Folk-thought and Folk-wont will not always be distinguishable. This is, however, a difficulty inseparable from any mode of classification.

There is one other question of minor importance; yet one on which it is still desirable there should be an understanding for the avoidance of confusion in our metaphors, if not in the minds of our readers. How shall we distinguish the divisions corresponding to those in zoology and botany, known as genera, species, and varieties? The word variant has been used for some years by writers on folk-tales; and it has now obtained too firm a footing to be dislodged. But there is no need to dislodge it, as it is the very word we want. Type is, of course, its proper correlative, and may be used to express a species, of which the individual members are variants. In that case it would be convenient to call the species by the name of some well-known example, and to take that example as the type or standard to which the other specimens more or less nearly conform. Thus, applying this mode of classification to folk-tales, we may speak of the Peau d'Âne type, or the King Lear type. A number of types may be included together in a group; and the group may be named from the central idea which links the types together. Thus, we may have a group of stories known, say, as the Rejected Child group. This would include at least four types, viz., the King Lear type, in which the conduct of the elder children is strongly contrasted with that of the youngest; the Joseph type, in which the conduct of the elder children is contrasted, but the glory of the younger chiefly dwelt on; the King of France type, in which the story of the elder children is dropped; and the Pope Innocent type, the adventures of an only child who has fallen under his father's unjust anger.

I have spoken only of the application of this mode of classification to folk-tales. I am not qualified to speak definitely as to its applicability to other departments of the science. At present, however, I know of no reason why it should not apply equally well; but on this point I. hope we shall have the opinions of other members of the Society who are better able to judge.