SYLPH, SALAMANDER, UNDINE and GNOME were imaginary beings inhabiting the four elements once believed to make up the physical world. All except the gnomes were female.
Sylphs dwelt in the air and were light, dainty and airy beings.
Salamanders dwelt in fire.
Undines were water spirits. They were also called nymphs, though nymphs were ordinarily monor divinities of nature who dwelt in woods, hills, and meadows as well as in waters.
Gnomes were little old men or dwarfs, dwelling in the earth.