rhyme": these have been studied in a monograph by Mr. H. C. Bolton; he
thinks they are "survivals" of incantations. Under the circumstances,
it would be perhaps as well if the reader did not read the lines out
when alone. One never knows what may happen.

_Parallels_.--Sorcerers' pupils seem to be generally selected for
their stupidity--in folk-tales. Friar Bacon was defrauded of his
labour in producing the Brazen Head in a similar way. In one of the
legends about Virgil he summoned a number of demons, who would have
torn him to pieces if he had not set them at work (J. S. Tunison,
_Master Virgil_, Cincinnati, 1888, p. 30).



XVI. TATTY MOUSE AND TATTY MOUSE.

_Source_.--Halliwell, p. 115.

_Parallels_.--This curious droll is extremely widespread;
references are given in Cosquin, i. 204 _seq._, and Crane,
_Italian Popular Tales_, 375-6. As a specimen I may indicate what
is implied throughout these notes by such bibliographical references
by drawing up a list of the variants of this tale noticed by these two
authorities, adding one or two lately printed. Various versions have
been discovered in:

ENGLAND: Halliwell, _Nursery Rhymes_, p. 115.

SCOTLAND: K. Blind, in _Arch. Rev_. iii. ("Fleakin and Lousikin,"
in the Shetlands).