PREFACE ix
shares with .Zsop the distinction of being a
piece of folklore raised into literature. } have
tried to summarise the results reached by such
authorities as Grimm, Voigt, Martin, and
Sudre, in their various monographs on the
subject. For the present I confine myself to a
summary of their researches, as the small space
at my disposal prevents me entering into any
discussion of doubtful or controverted points.
I have for some time been engaged in a more
elaborate treatment of the subject, which will
ultimately appear in the Bibliotheque de Carabas
as a companion to my treatment of sop in
the same series. I owe it to the courtesy of
Mr. Nutt that I am able to deal with it in a
more popular manner before the publication of
the results of my own research. For the
present I confine myself to a summary of the

researches of others.

JOSEPH JACOBS.