A PPLE-BL OSSOM. 
% 
(. Preference .) 
N the Scandinavian mythology the apple-tree played 
an important part. In the “ Eddathe goddess 
Iduna is related to have had charge of the apples 
which had the power of conferring immortality, and 
which, in consequence of then* miraculous property, were 
especially retained for the. gods to eat when they felt 
themselves growing old. The evil spirit, Loki, carried 
off Iduna and the wonderful apple-tree, and hid them 
away in a forest where the deities were unable to find 
them. The results of this spiteful theft were that every 
thing went wrong, both in the realms mundane and divine- 
The gods grew old and infirm, and, becoming enfeebled 
in mind and body, were no longer able to regulate the 
affairs of the earth ; and mortals, no longer having any 
one to look after them, fell into evil ways, and became a 
prey to the evil spirit. Affairs grew worse daily, until 
the gods, combining the remains of their strength, over¬ 
came Loki, and compelled him to restore the stolen 
apple-tree. 
