The legend of Perseus, Volume 2 (of 3)

A STUDY OF TRADITION IN STORY CUSTOM AND BELIEF: BY
Edwin Sidney Hartland F.S.A
VOL. II. THE LIFE-TOKEN
Published by David Nutt in the Strand, London 1895
Edinburgh: T. and A. Constable, Printers to Her Majesty
The discussion of the Life-token has proved so important, going down to the very foundations of the savage philosophy of life, that I have found it impossible to bring to a close this study of the Legend of Perseus within the compass of two volumes. A third, however, will complete the task, and will also include a supplementary Bibliographical List and an Index.
I desire to add to the names of friends who have so kindly extended to me their assistance in various ways, those of Mr. Edward Clodd, now president of the Folklore Society, the Rev. W. Gregor, LL.D., Mrs. Fanny D. Bergen, M. J. D. E. Schmeltz, the learned Curator of the Ethnographical Museum at Leiden, and editor of the Internationales Archiv , and Mr. W. R. Paton. To Mr. W. H. D. Rouse I have had occasion to refer so frequently for assistance of various kinds, constantly and ungrudgingly rendered, that I hardly know how to thank him.
Highgarth, Gloucester, May 1895.
The Life-token in Tale and Custom
Two classes of life-tokens; the one, originally connected with the hero; the other, arbitrary—Examples given in previous chapters—Examples from märchen outside the Perseus cycle—The magical mirror—The Life-token in mirror and well—Tokens of Fidelity—Connection of the Life-token and External Soul—Birth Ceremonies—Planting of trees and other life-tokens in custom—Divination.
Witchcraft: Sympathetic Magic
Folktale incidents presenting the divisibility of a person, continued sympathy of severed portions of a person with the bulk, and the endowment of the severed portions with consciousness—Modes of witchcraft—Witchcraft upon objects identified with the victim—Severed portions of the body—Footprints—Food—Dress—Objects more remotely associated with the victim—Witchcraft upon arbitrary objects—Name—Defences against witchcraft.