147 



additioiml proof of the correctness of this view is afforded by a rerj 

 curious myth related by Ovid,* which is particularly interesting, as it 

 seems to be one of the very few myths of the Roman theology that are 

 not imported exotics from Greece, but genuine products of the Italian 

 soil. It therefore deserves a careful examination. 



Ovid, speaking of the month of June, relates as follows : — " The first 

 day is dedicated to Cama, the Goddess of Hinges, who has power to open 

 what is closed and to close what is open. Whence she has these powers 

 is at present almost forgotten, but my verses will explain it. There is, 

 near the Tiber, a grove of old Helemus, where, even to the present day, 

 the Pontifices perform sacrifices. There was bom a Nymph— our fore- 

 fJEithers called her Crane — in vain desired by many suitors. She was 

 wont to roam through the country, to harass with her javelins the wild 

 beasts, and to lay the knotty snares in the hollow valley. Quiver she 

 had none : Yet was she believed to be the sister of Phcebus ; and in 

 truth, Phoebe, you could not be ashamed of her. Had some swain spoken 

 of love to her, forthwith would she answer in the following strain : — 

 * There is too much light in this place, and light is accompanied by 

 shame ; but if thou wilt lead the way into some secret cavern, I will 

 follow.' The credulous lover first enters the cave, she hides herself 

 behind some bushes, and is not to be found anyhow. But Janus saw 

 her, and when he had seen her he burned with desire, and addressed the 

 coy nymph with gentle words. She, as usual, bade him find a secluded 

 cavern ; she followed him into it, and then escaped from her companion. 

 Foolish was she ! For Janus sees what goes on behind his back. Your 

 attempts are vain; he discovers your hiding place ; he seized you in his 

 arms and, having gratified his desires, said : * As a reward for our union 

 and thy forfeited virginity, I give thee power over the hinge.' Thus 

 he spoke and gave her a white thorn, with which to drive away from 

 the doors sad misfortimes. There is a kind of greedy birds; not 

 those who cheated Phineus of his meals, but of that race : the head is 

 large, the eyes fixed, the beak adapted for rapine, white is the plumage, 

 and the claws have hooks. They fiy in the night," &c. It is hardly 

 neoessaij that Ovid should add : they are called owh. These owls, hke 

 vampyres, suck the blood of young children and kill them. But Crane, 

 the nymph, has magic charms against them. 



Such is Ovid's account. Now for our interpretation. 



It is clear that this nymph. Crane or Came, is identical with the 

 goddess Cardea, t. e. the goddess of Hinges, mentioned by St. Augustine, 

 Tertulhan, and Cyprian, f Ovid's story points directly to this. This 



• Fa»ti VI. 100 ff. 

 * Angnst IV. 8. VI. 7. TertnU. idioL c U. Cjfinm, itM. tsb. c 9. 



