RUNIC STONES ILLUSTRATING Till: \'<>I.SU.\<;.\ SAdA. 1*7 



Two rock-tracings found at Ramsund and Geek, on the 

 southern shores of Lake Malar, province of Sodennanland, 

 Sweden, show how deeply preserved in the memory <>f the 

 people all over the North is the history of the Volsungar as 

 told in the earlier Edda, and the Saga of that name. To 

 the late Professor Carl Save we are indebted for the discovery 

 of these two mementoes of the past. I here give the repre- 

 sentation of the finer of the two, which is engraved on granite. 



The scene is surrounded below by sculpture, and covered 

 with runes above are two serpents twisted together, one without 

 runes. Below the large snake Sigurd on his knee pierces 



Fig. 321. Tracing of later runes illustrating the Eddaic songs and Vnlsunsa sasa. 

 Length, 16 feet ; width, from 4 to 5 feet. Ramsund Rock, Sudermanland, 

 Sweden. 



'.vith his sword the body of the reptile. In the midst between 

 the snake the horse Graiii is standing, made fast to a tree where 

 two birds are seen. On the left Sigurd, seated, roasts on the fire. 

 at the end of a stick, the heart of Fafnir. Round the lire are 

 deposited pincers, an anvil, bellows, and hammer ; the head of 

 the smith (blacksmith) Regin is seen separated from the 

 trunk. Then above is sculptured an animal, which looks like 

 a fox no doubt the otter for the murder of which was 

 given, as ransom, the rich treasure so fatal to Fafnir and to all 

 those who possessed it after him. The runic inscription has 

 not the slightest connection with the scene, not even with 

 Sigurd Fafnisbani. As Mr. Save remarks. Sigurd or Holmger, 



