Curious Facts in the History of Insects; Including Spiders and Scorpions. / A Complete Collection of the Legends, Superstitions, Beliefs, and Ominous Signs Connected with Insects; Together with Their Uses in Medicine, Art, and as Food; and a Summary of Their Remarkable Injuries and Appearances.

by Frank Cowan

May-cat,

Fly away,

Hasten away,

Bring me good weather with you to-morrow.[7]

In England, the children are wont to be afraid of injuring the Lady-bird lest it should rain.

With the Northmen the Lady-bird—Our Lady’s Key-maid—is believed to foretell to the husbandman whether the year shall be a plentiful one or the contrary: if its spots exceed seven, bread-corn will be dear; if they are fewer than seven, there will be an abundant harvest, and low prices.[8] And, in the following rhyme from Ploen, this insect is invoked to bring food:

Marspäert (Markpäert) fleeg in Himmel!

Bring my’n Sack voll Kringeln, my een, dy een,

Alle lütten Engeln een.

Or,—