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Rh years since the appearance of the first edition have all been incorporated in the present edition. This has often necessitated slight modifications of the numbers assigned particular motifs. Since such changes are confusing as well as troublesome, it would seem advisable for those who make such indexes in the future not to attempt exact assignment of new motif-numbers but only to indicate the closest approximation possible (e. g. A2685.2⁺). This will serve for all purposes of reference and will make incorporation into a possible further revision of the index simpler.

In anticipation of the appearance of this index, the numbers have been used in several works. In each of the types given in the Aarne-Thompson Types of the Folk-Tale the mention of motifs is immediately followed by the number in brackets. Likewise they are inserted after all additional motifs appearing in Boggs' Index of Spanish Folktales. In my Tales of the North American Indians the motifs are all listed by the present plan. The numbers are also appearing at appropriate places in the margin of the new Handwörterbuch des deutschen Märchens.

The works indexed by this system since its first publication are mentioned on pages 12—18. — Irish and Icelandic myth, Italian, French and Spanish novelle and jestbooks, British and American folktales, African, West Indian, Jewish and Indic tradition, to mention the most important. Such surveys are indicated in the bibliography (p. 37) by a ☉.

The preparation of this classification has brought with it many pleasant associations, for I have found my fellow-workers in the field extremely kind in their help and encouragement. It is possible here to give but the briefest notice of their help and to express my heartfelt thanks to them all.

From its very inception I profited by the friendship and advice of Prof. Archer Taylor. Not only did he give the advantage of his deep scholarship, but at the expense of great labor he read the entire manuscript with the critical eye of a foster-father. Prof. Jan de Vries of Leiden explored the entire manuscript, gave me hundreds of references, and during a week in which I was guest in his home made many very valuable suggestions. Large parts of the manuscript were read by Dr. Albert Wesselski of Prague, and by Dr. Reidar Th. Christiansen of Oslo. The main burden of seeing the work through the press rested on the shoulders of Prof. Kaarle Krohn of Helsinki, to whom I am indebted for much help and cordial hospitality.