In Christian and Medieval Times 337 



may he cause the bees greatly to swarm and make wax in 

 abundance. When spring approaches, O God ! let out 

 the three kinds of cattle upon the three ways, protect them 

 from deep mud, bears, wolves, and thieves. Like as the 

 hop is firm and full, even so bless us with good fortune 

 and knowledge ! Even as the light shines brightly, so let 

 us live ! Even as wax in the hi\'e increases, so grant us 

 good fortune ! " 



The Poles, Silesians, and Russians generally, had a bee- 

 god called Babilos who was credited with being the in- 

 ventor of the art of bee-keeping, and the image of this god 

 was often placed near the hives. We hear also of a Lithu- 

 anian goddess of honey called Austheia, and of another 

 honored in the Caucasus as Meritta, while the Russian 

 peasants consider it sacrilegious to kill a bee. 



In the Russian folk-tales the bee appears as a good fairy 

 to assist the deserving in their need, and there is a story of 

 a bee that once changed itself, to comfort an old father, into 

 the form of his only son, who was wandering in strange lands, 

 and whom the father wished to see once more before dying. 



There is another tale of a father who wished to choose 

 the best one from among his twelve sons. He loved them 

 all and feared doing injustice to any, whereupon a bee flew 

 in and settled upon the head of the youngest as a visible 

 sign that this was the most excellent. 



A bee also undertook the grave responsibility of deciding 

 for a young hero, who wished to choose from twelve maidens 

 the most beautiful for his bride. 



It is said the bear, as the " honey-finder" and " honey- 

 eater," still enjoys high respect among the Russian peasants. 

 According to an old Russian custom a vessel containing 

 honey must be placed beside the bier upon which lies a 

 corpse — reminding us of a similar custom among the 

 ancient Greeks. 



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