47 
it, independently of Réaumur, during my studies on diptera. 
That J.H. Fabre, the eminent observer of insects, was, con- 
temporaneously with me, of the same opinion, appears from his 
calling FL. tenax by the name of ,labeille Virgilienne*, the vir- 
gilian bee, without any further comments, as something self-under- 
stood (J. H. Fabre’s Souvenirs entomologiques, Vol. IV, p. 260; 
1891; comp. above, p. 15). 
Tk 
The Bugonia from a psychological point of view. 
Hitherto I have attempted to explain the long duration of 
the Bugonia-craze from the intellectual point of view only (that 
is, as far as it was due to a want of Amovledge); but it is well- 
known that, in matters of superstition, sentimental motives 
exercise a considerable influence. In order to understand and 
to appreciate such influences, I shall introduce, for comparison’s 
sake, a short account of a very remarkable superstition which 
has prevailed for several centuries in central Europe. 
I quote from Henri Martin, Hist. de France, VII, p. 265: 
.-André de la Vigne in his Journal of the journey of Charles VIIL 
of France, relates that the King touched and cured in Rome 
about five hundred persons afflicted with scrofula. The preten- 
sion of the Kings of France to cure this disease, in virtue of 
a miraculous privilege attached to their coronation and anoint- 
ment, is one of the most singular passages in our history. The 
origin of it is unknown; it existed already in the XIth century, 
and all our old historians, and especially the official chronic- 
lers, make frequent allusions to it, as to an incontestable fact. 
Serofulous diseases do not number among those that may be 
eured by a sudden act of the imagination, or of the nervous 
system. But monarchic and national pride contributing, nobody 
dared to doubt of a prerogative so honorable to the crown. 
The Kings of England had the same prerogative, without any 
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