 Paracelsus uses "Gnomi" as a synonym of "Pygmæi" and classifies them as earth elementals.He describes them as two spans high, very reluctant to interact with humans, and able to move through solid earth as easily as humans move through air.The chthonic, or earth-dwelling, spirit has precedents in numerous ancient and medieval mythologies, often guarding mines and precious underground treasures, notably in the Germanic dwarfs and the Greek Chalybes, Telchines or Dactyls.