[ [71] ] We meet with a similar hat in other stories. Many Esthonians and Lithuanians still hide their nail-parings as carefully as possible, or else make a cross over them lest the devil should find them and use them to make a wishing-hat. Can this hat have any connection with the white straw hat of the devil in a Deptford rhyme?—Gomme's Traditional Games, I. p. 4. In the Edda, we are told that Naglfar, the largest ship in the world, which is to bring the giants to the fight at Ragnarök, is similarly constructed, and as both gods and men wish that it should be completed as late as possible, every one should be very careful not to die with unpared nails, lest he should supply materials for its construction.
[ [72] ] Golden is often used in Finnish and Esthonian, as in many other languages, as a term of endearment.
[ [73] ] The maidens were afterwards married to the relatives of the Kalevide, giants like himself, and are described as walking arm-in-arm with them, nothing being then said of any difference in their stature.
[ [74] ] This reminds us of a well-known feudal custom, more honoured in the breach than in the observance, which also prevailed among the old kings of Scotland for several reigns. The second sister was ultimately married, not to the cup-bearer, but to the son of Olev.
[ [75] ] A mythical blue bird, the daughter of Taara. Two songs respecting her will be found in another part of the book. Reinthal improperly translates the word "griffin." "Phœnix" or "Seemurgh" would have been a more appropriate rendering.
[ [76] ] These bath-whisks, which are dried birch-twigs with the leaves left on, are often alluded to in the Kalevala.
[ [77] ] Or Tühja. See ante, [p. 84].
[ [78] ] Compare [Canto 10] of the Kalevipoeg, and the story of the [Grateful Prince], as well as ante, [p. 58 note]. Sarvik seems to have belonged to the same family as the water-demon who was tricked by the Alevide in [Canto 10].
[ [79] ] Compare the similar scene in the story of ["Slyboots,"] later in this volume.
[ [80] ] This incident resembles an adventure attributed to Thor. In the legends of all countries, sorcerers or fugitives are represented as raising magic floods, either to sweep away their enemies or to baffle pursuit. There are three instances in this very canto.