...evidence they yield of the existence of given tales in certain forms at periods and places approximately capable of determination : evidence, in a word, which appropriates and fixes a preexisting tradition. But even in this they are inferior in importance to historical or topographical works, where we frequently...

...evidence they yield of the existence of given tales in certain forms at periods and places approximately capable of determination: evidence, in a word, which appropriates and fixes a preexisting tradition. (Hartland [1891], p. 4; cf. Erslev [1892], §24) §15. To an adequate record or oral transmission belong...