[169.] Here a different epithet is applied to Väinämöinen.
[283.] Probably Polyporus igniarius or P. fomentarius, both of which are much used for tinder.
[302.] He appears to have thought that Panu was in league with the Fire.
RUNO XLIX
[83.] This is Rhabdomancy, or divination by rods.
[417.] Literally, at the end of our thumbs.
RUNO L
[1.] Marjatta korea kuopus.
Literally, Marjatta the elegant darling; an expression occurring nowhere else in the Kalevala. The story in the present Runo seems to exhibit a veneer of Christianity over Shaman legends. Even the name Marjatta, notwithstanding its resemblance to Maria, seems to be really derived from the word marja, a berry. An old writer says that the favourite deities of the Finns in his time were Väinämöinen and the Virgin Mary.
[188.] That is, a criminal who deserves to be burnt at the stake.