INTRODUCTION. 5 



figure of a bee, the three upper leaves representing the 

 body and wings of a bee with the head downwards, while 

 the lower parts of the leaves took the place of the head 

 and legs, &c. 



The Great Napoleon, who while changing the esta- 

 blished order of things, never missed an opportunity of 

 showing that he knew full well the value attaching to 

 the prestige of antiquity, replaced the dishonoured fleur 

 de lys by the imperial and more ancient badge of the 

 bee ; and his coronation robe, probably in imitation 

 of that of Childeric, was " seme' with golden bees. 



As a symbol of plenty or fecundity, the bee, or its 

 produce, occurs on all sides. The " Land flowing with 

 milk and honey" of the Bible, is the most familiar 

 instance of this, and the combination is found else- 

 where. 



Thus in the Hindoo Mythology, in which Maya, the 

 Mother of the World and of the Sea of Milk, or primi- 

 tive matter, holds so high a place, we find the bee also 

 bearing a part among the symbols of fecundity. Cama 

 (Love), is represented as a child-god, supported on a 

 quiver, from which issues Yotma (strength), under the 

 form of a lion, the group resting on a bee. Yotma is also 

 represented under the form of a compound being, with 

 a head half bull half lion, the wings of an eagle and the 

 body of a serpent. From the yawning mouth of this 

 being proceeds another deity Prakriti (goodness), in 

 the form of a cow, accompanied by a swarm of bees. 

 But there is one curious figure which exceeds these in 

 interest. Maya, the Creatrix, holds her child, the 

 infant God of Love, in her arms ; behind him is his 

 quiver, and in his hand a bow of sugar-cane strung with 

 bees. Possibly the sting is the point of this figured 



