Morris tribune., 1888-10-17
LEGENDS OF INSECTS.
WHAT POPULAR SUPERSTITION
SAYS ABOUT THE BUSY BEE.

A Hindoo Tradition-Stolen Bees in Hol-
liabilities and Tleas-Gnats, Ants and
Crickets-The Dainty Lady Blrd-Divi-
nation.
No members of the animal kingdom are
regarded by most persons with greater
aversion than certain insects and reptiles.
The folk lore of these branches of that
kingdom is therefore a very extensive
one. 1t frequently assigns to the min
utest members of the insect tribe consid-
cradle power for good or evil, and popu-
lar tradition even anticipated scientific
discovery in the matter of insect intelli-
gence.
Popular superstition has concerned
itself much about that busy little insect,
the bee. A Welsh tradition says bees
came from paradise, leaving the garden
when man fell, but with Gods blessing,
so that wax is necessary in the celebra-
ton of the mass. The ancients gener-
ally maintained that there was close
connection between bees and the soul.
Porphyry speaks of ''those souls which
the ancients called bees"
There is Hindoo superstition that the
Rakshas or demons keep their souls in
the bodies of bees. Many persons accord
unusual intelligence to bees. They are
said in parts of England and France to
revere the consecrated wafer. They are
also said to sing Christmas hymn, be-
ginning at midnight. They are said never
to thrive in quarrelsome family, nor
will they stay with you If you quarrel
about them or in their presence. It Is q
custom in many parts of England and the
continent to announce to the bees death
in the family, especially that of the mas
ter. It is said in many parts of England
and Germany that If swarm Of bees set
tie on the dead branch of live tree q
death will occur in the family within q
year. Stolen bees are said in Holland
never to thrive. In some places in Eng
land it is thought unlucky to sell them.
They are given away for another gift.
Flies are sometimes regarded as fur
nishing representations of the weather,
and even of other events. Wilsford, an
old naturalist, who writes much of popu-
lar import, says: eff they are buster Or
binder than ordinary, sporting in the
sun Or showing themselves In warn
places, it may be taken as sign of hail,
cold showers of rain or wet weather"
Fleas are not too small to enter into
popular lore. An abundance of them in
dicates rain, here and in England. Their
eager biting also prognosticates wet wea-
ther. These tormenting insects are not
without their benefits, according to the
English fishermen, for they consider that
an abundance Of them indicates good
hauls of fish.
Gnats are regarded by many as accurate
weather indicators. Fair weather Is said
to be coming when they fly about In
clouds in the suns beams; heat follows
unusual friskiness, and rain Is indicated
by their seeking the shade and biting
6ercely. An abundance of these insects
in the spring foretells warm autumn.
Since the days of Solomon the ant has
enjoyed quite reputation as worker.
Mohammedans recognize its industry, and
accord it place among the ten animals
that alone enter Paradise. Without men,
tioning his authority, Emerson says, In
Mature, that they never sleep. Ants
eggs were of old an antidote for love. 1t
is said that they close their holes in the
ground on the approach Of o storm. II
they are unusually frisky wet weather is
ground is said to indicate heavy rains, and
stormy weather is imminent when they
travel in lines, fair weather coming when
they scatter abroad.
Superstition has been very busy with
that common household insect, the cricket.
It's lively and cheerful chirp has caused it
to be generally viewed with favor. It is
usually regarded as q good omen in
England and Scotland. In Hull it is un-
lucky to kill them, and in Lancashire, it
is said, they cut holes In the worsted
stockings of those members of family
that kill them. In Shakespeare time this
notion that the presence of the cricket
was good omen, Indicating cheerfulness
and plenty, was prevalent one. --e
The little insect commonly known az
the lady bird or lady bug has been the OBJ
ject of many superstitious observances.
It's name indicates its sacred character, 1t
being everywhere the Virgins bird, the
lady cow, the lady fly, the lady's little
beast, Mary's bird, Gods calf, etc. Young
girls, on finding one, try to divine their
lovers by it. The fight Of the insect in
dicates the direction in which the lover
is to be sought. German peasants also
try to divine from it's fight how they will
fare in the next world If, on being ap-
pealed to, 1t flies upward, they will go to
heaven; If downward, to he'll, or If hori.
zontally, then purgatory awaits the ques-
toner. !. la,
The insect known as 'granddaddy long
legs" is thought in this country to pos
sess some mysterious knowledge. Chill.
dren, on seeing it, ask 1t, "Granddaddy
long legs, where's my cow2" believing that
1t viii indicate the proper direction by
raising one of its legs.
Spider superstitions are also abundant.
They should not DO killed. Spaniards, in
the Sixteenth century, believed that
spiders Indicated gold, where they were
found in abundance. In Germany, it is
said to indicate good luck to have spider
spring his web downwards toward you,
but bad luck when he rises toward you.
There are said to be no spiders in Ireland,
nor will spiders spin their web in an Irish
oak, nor on cedar roof. IF. s. Bassctt in