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It is inevitable to compare this work, by the well-known French folklorist, with that on the same subject now being issued by Sir James Frazer. The methodological approach is similar in both, that of social and comparative psychology in contradistinction to the ethnological one now rather more in favour, and both are based on stupendous learning. But while the English work is an attempt to deal comprehensively with all, or at least most, of the folk-lore elements in the Old and New Testaments, the French one is content to select nine typical themes, which are then dissected in endless detail. Among these may be mentioned the blooming of Aaron's rod, the water gushing from the rock at the blow from Moses' rod, town towers and the fall of Jericho, and various miracles such as the walking on the water, multiplication of the loaves, the changing of the water into wine, etc.
Such a work is of course of immense value to the psycho-analyst on account of the extensive material it contains. It must be said, however, that in the treatment of the various themes there is no indication that the author has ever heard of the revolutionary discoveries of modern clinical psychology. Several of the themes have been dealt with by psycho-analysts, but not the slightest reference is given to any work on psycho-analysis.