up a position in Norse mythology analogous to that of the Titans in Greek and of the Fir Bolg in Irish: it follows that the presence of Niörᵭr for a time among the Anses, and his finally taking sides with the Wanes in their war against the Anses, may be compared with the Titan Cronus ruling over the gods until he and the other Titans were utterly routed. So much of the darker side of Niörᵭr's character; and as to his connection with the sea, an Aristophanic touch in one of the Eddic poems[1] identifies him with it. Further, a fragment of a lost poem[2] describes a difficulty between Niörᵭr and his consort Skadi, who as a great huntress was fond of the rocks and the mountains, while her husband loved the sea. As regards Niörᵭr's attitude towards man, both he and Frey were held to be the givers of wealth,[3] and the father is referred to in terms that would have applied equally to Thor, as the guileless helper of man;[4] and he was invoked at sea as the ruler of the wind and the waves. The order of the toasts at the public festivals was that the first should be drunk to Woden: next came Niörᵭr's toast and Frey's for good seasons and peace.[5] Lastly, with regard to Niörᵭr's cult, he is represented as ruling over countless temples and high places;[6] and at Noatún, where he had built him a hall, he has a high-timbered altar-place.[7]
Let us now turn to the Vedic pantheon of the ancient Hindus, and see what great figure there takes up a posi-
