146 JOUKNAL OF THE PLYMOUTH INSTITUTION. 
several mythological expressions common to the Edda and Homer. 
In the Edda, man is said to have been created out of an ash tree. 
In Hesiod, Zeus creates the third race of men out of ash trees ; and 
that this tradition was not unknown to Homer, we learn from 
Penelope's address to Ulysses : ' Tell me thy family, from whence 
thou art ; for thou art not sprung from the olden tree, or from the 
rock.'" (See Chips from a German Workshop, vol. ii. 2nd ed., 
p. 198, 1868.) 
The Edda mentioned by Professor Max Muller is that known as 
the Prose or Younger Edda, generally ascribed to Snorri Sturlason, 
of a distinguished Icelandic family (born 1178, died 1241). In 
it, Gylfi, King of Sweden, renowned for his wisdom and skill in 
magic, is represented as reaching the city of Asgard (the abode of 
the Gods), where, under the name of Gangler, he obtained access 
to a lofty mansion, in which were three thrones raised one above 
another, with a man sitting on each of them. Upon his asking 
what were the names of these lords, his guide answered, " He who 
sitteth on the lowest throne is a king ; his name is Har (the High 
or Lofty One) ; the second is Jafnhar {i.e. Equal to the High) ; but 
he who sitteth on the highest throne is called Thridi (the Third). 
Being encouraged to do so, Gangler proposes a series of questions, 
each of which is answered by one or other of the enthroned trio. 
Having received satisfactory replies to questions respecting the 
Supreme Deity, the Primordial State of the Universe, the Forma- 
tion of the First Man and Woman, and a variety of other profound 
topics, "Where," asked Gangler, "is the chief or holiest seat of 
the gods]" 
" It is under the ash Yggdrasill," replied Har, " where the gods 
assemble every day in council." 
"What is there remarkable in regard .to that place?" said 
Gangler. 
"That ash," answered Jafnhar, "is the greatest and best of all 
trees. Its branches spread over the whole world, and even reach 
above heaven. It has three roots very wide asunder. One of 
them extends to the yEsir (Gods), another to the Frost Giants in 
that very place where was formerly Ginungagap (the yawning, 
gaping abyss), and the third stands over Mflheim (the shadow 
region of death), and under this root, which is constantly gnawed 
by Nidhogg (the Tenebrous Hewer or Gnawer) is Hvergelmir (the 
