Note 27 — MCCLXIII.

The Scandinavian Scalds and Mythologists often represented treasures as guarded by monsters, dragons, sea snakes, &c. This notion probably originated from the fabulous tales of those who traded to the Indies. An ancient author, speaking of Scythia, says, “nam qvum in plerisque locis auro & gemmis affluant, Gryphorum immanitate, accessus hominum rarus est.”