In Christian and Mediaeval Times 321 



"We have called this book the 'Book of the Bee,' be- 

 cause we have gathered of the blossoms of the two testa- 

 ments and of the flowers of the holy Books, and have 

 placed them therein for thy benefit. As the common bee 

 with gauzy wings flies about, and flutters over and lights 

 upon flowers of various colors, and upon blossoms of divers 

 odors, selecting and gathering from all of them the ma- 

 terials which are useful for the construction of her handi- 

 work ; and having first of all collected the materials from 

 the flowers, carries them upon her thighs, and bringing 

 them to her dwelling, lays a foundation for her building 

 with a base of wax ; then, gathering in her mouth some of 

 the heavenly dew which is upon the blossoms of spring, 

 brings it and blows it into these cells, and weaves the 

 comb and honey for the use of men and her own nourish- 

 ment, in like manner have we, etc.," — that which follows 

 being an explanation of the Scriptures and the spiritual 

 life, rendered in a manner not infrequently used by the 

 early writers. 



Bees sometimes appear in the legends as companions of 

 the saints. When Saint Modomoc left Ireland they fol- 

 lowed him over the sea, as they also did Saint David ; and 

 about the head of another saint, who became a monk, they 

 placed themselves in the form of a tonsure. 



By her prayers Saint Gabinate was able to transform 

 a hive of bees into armed warriors, who were very 

 efficient in repulsing the enemy, and they are said to 

 have driven away the foe from the monastery of Saint 

 Serenicus. 



In few instances have the bees been accused of disloyalty 

 to the Church and her saints, but this sometimes occurred, 

 as when Saint Albericus was placed naked among them. 

 Probably they did not recognize him in that unaccustomed 

 state, and so fell upon and stung him. 



