VESPIDuE — WASPS, HORNETS. 173 



or some stormy, troublesome or boysterous season : where- 

 upon Avienus hath these verses : 



So if the buzzing troups of Hornets hoarse to flie, 

 * In spacious air 'bout Autumn's end you see, * 



When Virgil star the evening lamp espie, 

 Then from the sea -some stormy tempest sure shall be."^ 



" In the year 190, before the birth of Christ," say Moufet 

 and Topsel, " as Julius witnesseth, an infinite multitude of 

 Wasps flew into the market at Capua, and sate in the tem- 

 ple of Mars, they were with great diligence taken and burnt 

 solemnly, yet they did foreshew the coming of the enemy 

 and the burning of the city."^ 



The first Wasp seen in the season should always be killed. 

 By so doing, you secure to yourself good luck and freedom 

 from enemies throughout the year.^ This is an English 

 superstition, and it prevails in parts of America. We have 

 one, also, directly opposed to it, namely, that the first Wasp 

 seen in the season should not be killed if you wish to secure 

 to yourself good luck. Many of our people, too, will kill a 

 Wasp at no time, for, if killed, they say, it will bring upon 

 them bad luck. 



If a Wasp stings you, our superstitious think that your 

 foes will get the advantage of you. 



If the first Wasp seen in the season be seen in your house, 

 it is a sign that you will form an unpleasant acquaintance. 

 If the first Bee seen in the season be seen in your house, it 

 ! is a sign you will form a pleasant and useful acquaintance. 

 This arose doubtless from the apparent uselessness of the 

 former, and worth of the latter insect. 



Wasps building in a house foretell the coming to want of 

 the family occupying it. Likewise arose from the unthrifti- 

 ness of this insect. 



If Hornets build high, the winter will be dry and mild ; 

 if low, cold and stormy. This is firmly believed in Virginia ; 

 and the idea seems to be, that if the nesi is built high it will 

 be more exposed to the wind than if built low. 



That a person may not be stung by Wasps, Paxamus says : 



1 Hist, of Beasts, p. 660. 



2 Theatr. Ins., p. 49. Topsel's Hist, of Beasts, p. 657, 927. 



3 Notes and Queries, ii. 165. 



16 



