As to the meaning and derivation of Artemis, or Artamis, our author knows nothing (ii. 741).  I say, ’even [Greek] ([Greek], bear) has occurred to inventive men.’  Possibly I invented it myself, though not addicted to etymological conjecture.

THE FIRE-WALK

The Method of Psychical Research

As a rule, mythology asks for no aid from Psychical Research.  But there are problems in religious rite and custom where the services of the Cendrillon of the sciences, the despised youngest sister, may be of use.  As an example I take the famous mysterious old Fire-rite of the Hirpi, or wolf-kin, of Mount Soracte.  I shall first, following Mannhardt, and making use of my own trifling researches in ancient literature, describe the rite itself.

Mount Soracte

Everyone has heard of Mount Soracte, white with shining snow, the peak whose distant cold gave zest to the blazing logs on the hearth of Horace.  Within sight of his windows was practised, by men calling themselves ‘wolves’ (Hirpi), a rite of extreme antiquity and enigmatic character.  On a peak of Soracte, now Monte di Silvestre, stood the ancient temple of Soranus, a Sabine sun-god. {148a} Virgil {148b} identifies Soranus with Apollo.  At the foot of the cliff was the precinct of Feronia, a Sabine goddess.  Mr. Max Muller says that Feronia corresponds to the Vedic Bhuranyu, a name of Agni, the Vedic fire-god (ii. 800).  Mannhardt prefers, of course, a derivation from far (grain), as in confarreatio, the ancient Roman bride-cake form of marriage.  Feronia Mater=Sanskrit bharsani mata, Getreide Mutter. {149a} It is a pity that philologists so rarely agree in their etymologies.  In Greek the goddess is called Anthephorus, Philostephanus, and even Persephone—­probably the Persephone of flowers and garlands. {149b}

Hirpi Sorani

Once a year a fete of Soranus and Feronia was held, in the precinct of the goddess at Soracte.  The ministrants were members of certain local families called Hirpi (wolves).  Pliny says, {149c} ’A few families, styled Hirpi, at a yearly sacrifice, walk over a burnt pile of wood, yet are not scorched.  On this account they have a perpetual exemption, by decree of the Senate, from military and all other services.’  Virgil makes Aruns say, {149d} ’Highest of gods, Apollo, guardian of Soracte, thou of whom we are the foremost worshippers, thou for whom the burning pile of pinewood is fed, while we, strong in faith, walk through the midst of the fire, and press our footsteps in the glowing mass. . . .’  Strabo gives the same facts.  Servius, the old commentator on Virgil, confuses the Hirpi, not unnaturally, with the Sabine ‘clan,’ the Hirpini.  He says, {149e} ’Varro, always an enemy of religious belief, writes that the Hirpini, when about to walk