Transactions. 87 



but abseut from Norway. I look for its occurreiu-e in Soutlierii 



Scotland. 

 Sclerochloa Borreri. — Should occur on tlie coasts ; occurs north to 



Iceland. 



No doubt one element against the occurrence in Scotland of 

 some Scandinavian species is the humidity, although the average 

 summer temperature in Scotland is higher than many (or most) 

 places in the same latitude, especially in Finland and Eastern 

 Sweden; yet the aggregate heat in June, July, and August is 

 higher in those parts, yet the winters are much colder, but protec- 

 tion to vegetation is afforded by deep snows. I think that the 

 work done in topographical botany in northern Scotland these six 

 or seven years past shows that many species do occur much 

 farther north than has been supposed. Of course, much care is 

 needed to examine the surroundings of many jjlants as to their 

 possible introduction. 



V.—" Bee Folk- Lore." By Mr P. Dudgeon, F.S.A. (Abridgedd.) 



It would have been a matter of surprise if amid the multitude 

 of superstitious beliefs which existed, and still exist, concerning so 

 many different things that bees had been overlooked. This is very 

 far from being the case, however. From the earliest times these 

 interesting little creatures have attracted the attention of all 

 nations and peoples. Greek and Roman philosophers have devoted 

 much time in observing their habits, and when we see the wonder- 

 ful instinct they display, the perfect organisation of their societies, 

 where every bee, as it were, is told off to do its own particular 

 work, the foresight they display in storing up food, the care they 

 take of their young, &c., it is not at all to be wondered at that in 

 earlier times they were looked upon as creatures possessing much 

 more than what is called " instinct," and that they were endowed 

 with something- approaching to reasoning powers and almost 

 human intelligence. It was regaided as necessary that great 

 respect should be shown them ; they were never to be alluded to 

 in a slighting way ; that no derogatory remarks about them 

 should be uttered, particularly if they were within hearing ; and 

 that every consideration should be conceded to them in what were 

 thought to be their wishes, or even caprices. An almost poetic 

 feeling is seen to run through some of the superstitions connected 

 with them, quite wanting, or at all events seldom found, in other 



