The following tables have been compiled for the purpose of bringing together the most important types of myth and indicating their geographical incidence. It is not pretended that these are in any way exhaustive, but much care has been taken in their compilation and it is hoped that they will assist the student of myth as a ready reference to parallels.
Zeus, Poseidon, Pluto, Hera, Demeter, and Hestia, children of Cronus. All but Zeus were swallowed by their father when infants and all disgorged by him at one time full grown.
The Dioscuri (Zeus visits their mother Leda as a swan).
Agni, both son and father of the gods--son of Heaven and earth--begotten by the sky, the clouds, and the dawn--born among men, in Heaven and in the waters.
_Algonquins_. Manibozho, born of a virgin.
_Mexicans_. Quetzalcoatl, born of a virgin; Uitzilopochtli (ball of feathers falls from heaven into his mother's breast).
_Peruvians_. Viracocha, born of a virgin.
_Thlinkeets_ (N.W. America). Yetl's mother by advice of friendly dolphin swallows pebble and sea-water.
_Uapès_ (Brazil). Jurapari (his mother drinks fermented liquor).
BEAST MYTHS. Beasts and birds are credited with divine or semi-divine attributes.
Io as a cow chased into Egypt by gad-fly sent by Hera. Amphitryon chases the Cadmean fox with the Athenian dog. Bellerophon slays the Chimæra with the help of Pegasus. The Centaurs.
_Aschochimi Indians_ (California). The coyote.
_Ahts Indians_ (Vancouver Island). Tootah, the thunder-bird, universal mother.
_Tinneh or Déné Indians_ (Hare-skins). Miraculous dog is creator.
DUALISTIC MYTHS (the good god combating the bad god). This idea is very general, being found practically all over the world. The creator of all good things is constantly thwarted by the evil spirit or principle, who, for every good and beautiful thing that the beneficent god makes, produces a corresponding evil.
Osiris and Set or Apep. Ra (light and goodness) and Apep (darkness and evil).
Zeus and Typhon. Apollo and Python. Perseus and the Gorgon.
_Hottentots_. Gaunab (bad) and Tsui-Goab (good).
Michabo or Manibozho and the prince of serpents. Great Manitou, whose heart is the sun, made men. His wife, the moon, brought disease and death to the race. Glooskap and Malsum.
