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284 EELIGION OF THE NOKTHMEN.
The second species of exploring tlie future, *. e.,
by means of divination-lots, is found more minutely
described in tbe Sagas. In the three most detailed
accounts we have of the invasion of Norway by the
Jomsburg sea-rovers, it is related how Hakon Jarl,
in order to gain over the Skald Einar, afterward
sumamed Skalaglam, presented to him a costly
divining-halance, "with, the accompanying weights.
The Best descriptions of this divining apparatus
" Then the Jarl (Hakon) takes a
are in this wise :
good balaHce-scale (skdlir g65ar) which he had in
his possession. It was made of burnished silver and
was all gilt. With it there were two weights (met),
the one of gold, the other of silver, upon each of
which there was a figure wrought (a human figure,
according to the other two accounts). They were
called' hlotar (by the others, hlutar) and were in
reality lot-casting weights (hlutir; Latin, sortes)
such as people of that time used to have. A great
power lay hidden in them, and on all occasions
which were deemed by the Jarl to be of importance,
he made use of these weights. He would then place
them in the scales, appointing at the same time
what each one was to decide for him ; and always
when the throwing turned out well, and the one
came up that he desired, the weight indicating his
choice was restless in the scale and turned gently
about in it^so as to give out a clinking sound. This
treasure the Jarl gives to Einar, and Eiaar is greatly
rejoiced therewith."*
* J6m8vikingft S. 42 in Fornm. S. XI. p. 128.