conTiecfed with Natural History, '21 1 



Perhaps the season of the year may satisfactorily explain all 

 these observances. Several superstitious customs are men- 

 tioned in this Magazine * [Vol. I. p. 93. 196. 303., Vol. II. 

 p. 105. 209. 405.] regarding bees, some of which are not 

 practised in the north, yet it is fully believed that the death 

 of the stock of hives too often foretells the " flitting " of the 

 bee-master. W^et cold years, unfavourable to the insects, are 

 also equally so to the farmer upon thin clays, v^^hich border 

 the moors, where bees are mostly kept. Has the use of the 

 mountain ash, " rowan tree " [Pyrus aucuparia Gcsrtner'], as a 

 charm against witchcraft, ever been accounted for ? The be- 

 lief in its efficacy must be very old, if we are to credit some of 

 Shakspeare's commentators, who give this word as the true 

 reading in Macbeth, instead of " Aroint thee, witch ! " f 



* The following additional instance has been lying by us some time, and 

 may be here fitly introduced. — J. D, 



Superstition respecting Bees. — Sir, The following passage, which I have 

 extracted from a Tour through Brittany^ published in the Cambrian Quar- 

 terly/ MagazinOy vol. ii. p. 215., gives us some interesting information of the 

 regard which seems in most countries to be paid to these esteemed little 

 animals : — " If there are bees kept at the house where a marriage feast is 

 celebrated, care is always taken to dress up their hives in red, which is 

 done by placing upon them pieces of scarlet cloth, or one of some such 

 bright colour ; the Bretons imagining that the bees would forsake their 

 dwellings if they were not made to participate in the rejoicings of their 

 owners : in like manner they are all put into mourning when a death occurs 

 in the family." There are instances mentioned of their being put into 

 mourning, in your First and Second Volumes; but I do not remember one 

 of their having a share in the marriage rejoicings. Yours, &c. — D. C 

 Oxon.y April 4!. 1830. 



f It is hoped the appended quotation will not be deemed inconsequent 

 here. — J. D. 



Superstitious Belief in the Power of Trees. — Near Boitpoor, in Upper 

 India, " I passed a fine tree of the mimosa, with leaves, at a little distance, 

 so much resembling those of the mountain ash, that I was for a moment 

 deceived, and asked if it did not bring fruit ? They answered no ; but that 

 it was a very noble tree, being called * the imperial tree,' for its excellent 

 properties : that it slept all night, and wakened, and was alive all day, 

 withdrawing its leaves if any one attempted to touch them. Above all, 

 however, it was useful as a preservative against magic ; a sprig worn in the 

 turban, or suspended over the bed, was a perfect security against all spells, 

 evil eye, &c., insomuch that the most formidable wizard would not, if he 

 could help it, approach its shade. One, indeed, they said, who was very 

 renowned for his power (like Loorinite in the Kehama) of killing plants, 

 and drying up their sap with a look, had come to this very tree, and gazed 

 on it intently : ' but,' said the old man, who told me this, with an air of 

 triumph, * look as he might, he could do the tree no harm ; ' a fact of 

 which I make no question. I was amused and surprised to find the super- 

 stition, which, in England and Scotland, attaches to the rowan tree, here 

 applied to a tree of nearly similar form. Which nation has been, in this 

 case, the imitator ? or from what common centre are all these common 

 notions derived ? " {Bishop Hebcr.) 



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