Odd Notions about Bees. 157 
so on, but a girl must never tell it to a 
girl, nor a boy to a boy. I will give you 
the charm in German, for those of 
you who understand German. 
When you see the bees swarm- 
ing, you must say to them,— 
Liebe Bienen, und liebe Bienen Mutter, 
Setzt euch auf Rasen und griines Gras, 
Im Namen des Vaters, des Sohnes, und des 
Heiligen Geistes. AMEN. 
You see, it is really a little prayer to 
the bees, and this is the English trans-if 
iation : — 
Dear bees, and dear mother of the bees, 
Place yourselves upon the meadow and the green grass, 
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy 
Ghost. AMEN. 
A good many still think the bees must be 
told when there is a death in the family, 
or else they will go away. 
A member of the family goes at night 
and knocks on the hives, and says, “ So- 
