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298 EELIGION OF THE NOETHMEN.
be the enemies of mankind, a representation whicli
most nearly coincides with the manner in which
they manifest themselves in the Asa Mythology, but
it was also believed that people could sometimes
make friends of them, and then these mountain
genii became the trusty guardians of house and pro-
perty. They were believed to shun the light of the
sun, and if the sun surprised them out of their mountain
homes, they were transformed to stone. The
Troll-women were represented as most frequently
making their appearance in riding upon wolves,
with serpents for their bridles.
A peculiar kind of Thurs or Demon is mentioned
under the name of Brunnmigi, which was believed
to dwell in the springs and streams that gush out of
mountains. The name signifies one who makes
water in the fountains, and it seems in this connec-
tion to indicate that to this kind of genius was as-
cribed the origin of all mineral or ill-tasted, ill-scerited
waters. This also agrees with the myth of the salt-
ness of the sea being produced by beings of Jotun
nature.*
It was supposed that the Thursar and human
beings could form marriage connections with each
other, and hence arose a blended race, the so-called
blendingar (hybrids) who retained, both in charac-
ter and appearance, something that gave evidence
of their twofold origin. By being afterwards united
with mankind through many generations, the Thursar
nature of these hybrids could by degrees be worn
» TheL. Edda: Skdlda43.