The two extracts included in this section deal with Lang's methodological approach to folklore analysis as it is developed and demonstrated in his first published book on the subject, Custom and Myth (London: Longmans, Green and Co.,1884). Custom and Myth is made up of fourteen essays, some previously published, some original; each essay seeks to demonstrate that popular tradition incorporates elements which may be regarded as survivals from the savage state Lang believed all civilisations to have passed through.

‘The Method of Folklore’, as the first essay in the collection, sets out to explicate the comparative method of analysis to be used throughout the work, and in so doing presents the founding principles of the anthropological argument. As such it serves as an excellent introduction to Lang's proposed treatment of folklore and mythology.

‘Cupid, Psyche, and the ‘Sun-Frog'’, also included here, is the fourth essay in the collection. Here Lang applies the system outlined in ‘The Method of Folklore’ to a selection of international tale types, including ATU425 ‘The Search for the Lost Husband’, ATU402 ‘The Animal Bride’ and ATU440 ‘The Frog King’. The essay is notable for its spirited critique of the interpretations of these tale types that have been offered by scholars of the solar mythological school and for its careful explication of Lang's views concerning independent invention.