[861] For some evidence, see The Magic Art and the Evolution of Kings; ii. 52-55, 330 sqq. It is a popular belief, universally diffused in Germany, that cattle-plagues are caused by witches (A.  Wuttke, Der deutsche Volksaberglaube,*[2] Berlin, 1869, p. 149 Sec. 216).  The Scotch Highlanders thought that a witch could destroy the whole of a farmer’s live stock by hiding a small bag, stuffed with charms, in a cleft of the stable or byre (W.  Grant Stewart, The Popular superstitions and Festive Amusements of the Highlanders of Scotland, Edinburgh, 1823, pp. 201 sq.).

[862] The Magic Art and the Evolution of Kings, ii. 330 sqq.

[863] Above, pp. 282, 284 sq.

[864] Above, pp. 118, 121, 144, 145, 176.

[865] Above, pp. 121, 122, 124, 140 sq., 145, 146, 174, 176, 183, 184, 187, 188, 190, 191, 192, 249, 250, 252, 253, 254, 258.

[866] J. Grimm, Deutsch Mythologie,*[4] ii. 908 sqq.; J.V.  Grohmann, Aberglauben und Gebraeuche aus Boehmen und Maehren (Prague and Leipsic, 1864), p. 32 Sec. 182; A. Wuttke, Der deutsche Volksaberglaube*[2] (Berlin, 1869), pp. 149 sq., Sec.216; J. Ceredig Davies, Folk-lore of West and Mid-Wales (Aberystwyth, 1911), p. 230; Alois John, Sitte, Branch und Volksglaube im deutschen Westboehmen (Prague, 1905), p. 202.

[867] Above, pp. 108, 121, 140, 146, 165, 183, 188, 196, 250, 255, 256, 258.

[868] Above, pp. 107, 195 sq.

[869] Above, pp. 162, 163, 166, 171, 174.

[870] A. Wuttke, Der deutsche Volksaberglaube*[2] (Berlin, 1869), p. 351, Sec. 395.

[871] Above, pp. 165, 168, 189, compare 190.

[872] A. Wuttke, Der deutsche Volksaberglaube*[2] (Berlin, 1869), p. 351, Sec. 395; L. Strackerjan, Aberglaube und Sagen aus dem Herzogthum Oldenburg (Oldenburg, 1867), i. p. 298, Sec. 209.  See above, p. 343 note.

[873] In the Ammerland, a district of Oldenburg, you may sometimes see an old cart-wheel fixed over the principal door or on the gable of a house; it serves as a charm against witchcraft and is especially intended to protect the cattle as they are driven out and in.  See L. Strackerjan, Aberglaube und Sagen aus dem Herzogthum Oldenburg (Oldenburg, 1867), i. p. 357, Sec. 236.  Can this use of a wheel as a talisman against witchcraft be derived from the practice of rolling fiery wheels down hill for a similar purpose?

[874] F.S.  Krauss, Volksglaube und religioeser Brauch der Suedslaven (Muenster i.  W., 1890), pp. 118 sq.

[875] In German such spells are called Nestelknuepfen; in French, nouer l’aiguilette.  See J. Grimm, Deutsche Mythologie,*[4] ii. 897, 983; A. Wuttke, Der deutsche Volksaberglaube*[2] (Berlin, 1869), p. 252 Sec. 396; K. Doutte, Magic et Religion dans l’Afrique du Nord (Algiers, 1908), pp. 87 sq., 294 sqq.; J.L.M.  Nogues, Les Moeurs d’autrefois en Saintonge et en Aunis (Saintes, 1891), pp. 171 sq.