origin of were wolf

2 UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI STUDIES [254
of the present Volhynia, in West Russia) into wolves as due
dressed in their furs. This
merely to their appearance in winter,
explanation, however, would not fit similar superstitions in warm
climes. Others ascribe the origin of lycanthropy to primitive
Totemism, in which the totem is an animal revered by the mem-
'bers of a tribe and supposed to be hostile to their enemies. 7 Still
another explanation
is that of a leader of departed
souls as the
original werewolf. 8
The explanation of the origin of the belief in werewolves must
be one which will apply the world over, as the werewolf superstition
is found pretty much all over the earth,
9 especially to-day
10
however in Northwest Germany and Slavic lands; namely, in
7
Encyclopaedia Britannica, XXITI. 467 fol.
8
Note 102, also see note 22.
9
See also Mogk in Paul's Grundriss, III. 272. Dr. Rud. Leubuscher*
ftber die Wehrwolfe und Thierverwandlungen im Mittel alter, Berlin, 1850,
mentions cases in ancient Arcadia, in Arabia, Abyssinia (hyenas), and the
almost epidemic disease in the Middle Ages. Dr. W. Hertz, Der Werwolf,
Stuttgart, 1862, ascribes the superstition to Armenia, Egypt, Abyssinia
(hyenas), Greece (pages 20-28), but not to India, contrary to Encyc. Brit,
below; on p. 133 he says: "Tierverwandlungen sind allgemein menschlich,
finden wir iiberall. Die eigentiimliche Entwicklung der Werwolfsagen
aber finden wir vorzugsweise bei einer bestimmten Volkergruppe, den
arischen Stammen der Griechen, Romer, Kelten, Germanen und Slaven;
bei den siidwarts gezogenen Stammen der Inder und Iranier sind uns
gleiche Sagen nicht begegnet [but see below]. Am massenhaftesten treten
die Werwolfe bei den Slaven auf, und ihnen gehort die alteste historische
Erwahnung der Sage; viel alter aber ist der Lykaon Mythus und arkadische
Werwolfe". According to Andree, Ethnographische Parallelen und Vergleiche,
Stuttgart, 1878, ss. 62-80, the superstition is found in every European
country (amongst Anglo-Saxons, English, French, Bretons, Poles,
Tschechs, Lithuanians, White Russians of Poland, inhabitants of island
Oesel, Russians, Italians, Portuguese, Provencal peoples, Greeks, Kelts, in
Asia, Africa, America; but not in India nor Persia, contrary to Encyc. Brit,
below), especially though in northwestern Germany and in Slavic lands.
As to the American Indians, see Ethnological Report for 1880-81, p. 83,
"From their close relations with wild animals Indians' stories of transformations
into beasts and beasts into men are numerous and interesting.
. . In
times of peace, during the long winter evenings, some famous story-