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[71] ἴχνια, only in this form; in Od. 17.317 we have “ἴχνεσι”, from which van L. would read “ἴχνεα” in all places, though no other case of “ἴχνος” is found, save as a variant in Od. 19.436, earlier than Hymn. Merc. 76. The word evidently cannot have its ordinary sense of footprints unless “κνημάων” is added by a very violent zeugma. Hence no doubt the variants “ἴχματα” (mentioned also by Hesych. and explained “ἴχνια”) and “ἴθματα”. For this see 5.778; the sense movements is satisfactory enough. It has been proposed to find the same primitive meaning in “ἴχνια” (as from “ἱκ-νεῖσθαι”) but this is very doubtful. Compare Virgil's “Et vera incessu patuit dea.” Mr. Lang calls attention to the curious superstition that when spirits assume human form they may be detected by their feet and knees being turned backwards (Gaidoz, in Mélusine vi. 8, 172).

The Iliad, edited, with apparatus criticus, prolegomena, notes, and appendices. Walter Leaf. London. Macmillan. 1900.

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