Sir,--I cannot inform LEGOUR why the lady-bird (the seven-spotted, _Coccinella Septempunctata_, is the most common) is called in some places "Bishop Barnaby." This little insect is sometimes erroneously accused of destroying turnips and peas in its larva state; but, in truth, both in the larva and perfect state it feeds exclusively on aphides. I do not know that it visits dairies, and Tusser's "Bishop that burneth," may allude to something else; still there appears some popular connection of the _Coccinellidæ_ with _cows_ as well as burning, for in the West Riding of Yorkshire they are called _Cush Cow Ladies_; and in the North Riding one of the children's rhymes anent them runs:-- "Dowdy-cow, dowdy-cow, ride away heame, Thy[1] house is burnt, and thy bairns are tean, And if thou means to save thy bairns Take thy wings and flee away!" The most mischievous urchins are afraid to hurt the dowdy-cow, believing if they did evil would inevitably befall them. It is tenderly placed on the palm of the hand--of a girl, if possible--and the above rhyme recited thrice, during which it usually spreads its wings, and at the last word flies away. A collection of nursery rhymes relating to insects would, I think, be useful. W.G.M.J. BARKER. [Footnote 1: _Thy_ is pronounced as _thee_.] [We have received many other communications respecting the epithet of this insect--so great a favourite with children. ALICUI and several other correspondents incline to L.B.L.'s opinion that it takes its name from a fancied resemblance of its bright wing-cases to the episcopal cope or chasuble. J.T. reminds us that St. Barnabas has been distinguished of old by the title of _bright_, as in the old proverbial distich intended to mark the day of his festival according to the Old Style (21st June):-- "Barnaby bright! The longest day and the shortest night." While F.E. furnishes us with another and happier version of the Norfolk popular rhyme:-- "Bishop, Bishop Barnabee, Tell me when _my_ wedding be; If it be to-morrow day, Take your wings and fly away! _Fly to the east, fly to the west_, _Fly to them that I love best_!" The name which this pretty insect bears in the various languages of Europe is clearly mythic. In this, as in other cases, the Virgin has supplanted Freya; so that _Freyjuhaena_ and _Frouehenge_ have been changed into _Marienvoglein_, which corresponds with _Our Lady's Bird_. There, can, therefore, be little doubt that the esteem with which the lady-bird, or Our Lady's cow, is still regarded, is a relic of the ancient cult.] * * * * * MATHEMATICAL ARCHÆOLOGY.