I have given these examples to suggest that a singer in a joking humour might occasionally have in mind something other than a real animal when narrating its origin.
viii.—The Origin of the Pig.
The origin of a pig is known—of "downwards-carried snout" is guessed.
Tynymys[1] is thy mother, Kynymys[2] is thy father.
v.Kynönen[2] [v. St. Kynönen] is thy father.
With snout and hoofs plough up the ground, with snout rout up the turf,
[But] pray don't tear the fences down—don't roll away the gates.
A couple of amusing Finnish stories about pigs will be found in the Folk-Lore Journal, v, p. 164.
ix.—The Origin of the Seal.
A fellow rises from the sea—raises himself from out the waves
That counts the ocean isles—keeps watch on water's fish.
Six flowers [v. cups] are in his hand, six at the tip of every flower,
All are full of train-oil,
They congealed into seals.
O seal! "round boy"
That roves about the sea, "rough creature" of the ocean fields.
Refuse[3] was thy father, Refuse was thy mother,
Thou art Refuse thyself.
Go hence, whither I command,
Into the sea's black mud—[its] blue clay,
Into a dragon's (F. salmon-snake) throat.
