Editing Merman (section)

=== Hafstrambr ===
The ''hafstrambr'' is a merman, described as a counterpart to the hideous mermaid ''margýgr'' in the ''[[Konungs skuggsjá]]'' ("King's mirror", {{c.|1250}}). He is said to generally match her anthropomorphic appearance on the top half, though his lower half is said to have been never been seen.<ref name="lehn&schroeder"/><ref name="nansen"/> In actuality, it may have been just a sea-mammal ([[hooded seal]], ''Cystophora cristata''),<ref name="nordgaard"/><ref name="finnur"/> or the phenomenon of some sea creature appearing magnified in size, caused by mid-range [[mirage]].<ref name="lehn&schroeder"/>

Medieval Norsemen may have regarded the ''hafstrambr'' as the largest sorts of mermen, which would explain why the word for ''marmennill'' ('little mer-man') would be given in the diminutive.<ref name="GhM"/>

Other commentators treat the ''hafstrambr'' merely as an imaginary sea-monster.<ref name="gundersen-KLNM"/><ref name="cleasby-vigfusson-haf"/>