Yet the Scandinavian literati appear unanimous in regarding them as the same. Grimm, however, agrees with us in viewing the Döck-Alfar as distinct from the Duergar. As the abode of these last is named Svartálfaheimr, he thinks that the Svartálfar and the Duergar were the same.—Deutsche Mythologie, p. 413, seq. See below, [Isle of Rügen].
[99] The ash-tree, Yggdrasil, is the symbol of the universe, the Urdar-fount is the fount of light and heat, which invigorates and sustains it. A good representation of this myth is given in Mr. Bohn's edition of Mallet's "Northern Antiquities," which the reader is recommended to consult.
[100] This Grimm (ut sup.) regards as an error of the writer, who confounded the Döck and the Svartálfar.
[101] See Tales and Popular Fictions, p. 274.
[102] The analogy of Deev, and other words of like import, might lead to the supposition of Spirit being the primary meaning of Alf.
[103] See Mythology of Greece and Italy, p. 248, second edition.
[104] After the introduction of Christianity, Engel, angel, was employed for Alp in most proper names, as Engelrich, Engelhart, etc.
[105] See MM. Grimm's learned Introduction to their translation of the Irish Fairy Legends, and the Deutsche Mythologie of J. Grimm.
[106] MM. Grimm suppose with a good deal of probability, that these are compounds formed to render the Greek ones, and are not expressive of a belief in analogous classes of spirits.
[107] Some think, but with little reason, they were originally a part of the Finnish mythology, and were adopted into the Gothic system.