Recent literature on this Hymn is almost limited to the notes of R. Peppmüller, Philologus, 1884, p. 196 sq., 1894, p. 253 sq., and H. Pomtow, Neue Jahrb. f. Phil., 1886, p. 176, and the articles of A. Kirchhoff, Sitzungsberichte der preuss. Akad. xlii. 1893, and A. W. Verrall in this Journal vol. xiv. pp. 1 sqq. (1894). For Apollo we have the account by Roscher in his Lexicon; Mr. Farnell (Cults of Greek States) has not yet treated him.

Want of illustration and of positive information upon the topics with which the Hymn deals, is the chief stumbling block to its interpretation. We are practically entirely ignorant, so far as other sources are concerned, at these places: the geographical names 32, 35, 40, 217, 422, 423; the nature of Eilithyia's necklace 103; the recitations at the Delian festival 156 sq., Apollo's ‘brides’ 208 sq., the observances connected with chariots at Onchestus 230 sq., the epithets of Apollo 373, 496; the part taken by Cretans in the Delphic worship 393 sq.