cites peasant proverbs, such as Das Korn heirathet; das Korn feiert
Hochzeit (p. 264). 'This is the germ of the Arcadian Saga.'

'The Arcadian myth of Demeter Erinnys is undeniably a blending of the
epic tradition [of the ideal war-horse] with the local cult of
Demeter. . . . It is a probable hypothesis that the belief in the
wedding of Demeter and Poseidon comes from the sight of the waves
passing over the cornfield. . . .' {52}

It is very neat! But a certain myth of Loki in horse-form comes into
memory, and makes me wonder how Mannhardt would have dealt with that too
liberal narrative.

Loki, as a mare (he being a male god), became, by the horse of a giant,
the father of Sleipnir, Odin's eight-footed steed. Mr. W. A. Craigie
supplies this note on Loki's analogy with Poseidon, as a horse, in the
waves of corn:--

'In North Jutland, when the vapours are seen going with a wavy motion
along the earth in the heat of summer, they say, "Loki is sowing oats
today," or "Loki is driving his goats."

'N.B.--Oats in Danish are havre, which suggests O.N. hafrar, goats.
Modern Icelandic has hafrar=oats, but the word is not found in the old
language.'

Is Loki a corn-spirit?