204 Bringing in the FlyT
their joint offspring, the elves (elbe), wear the same shape.^^ In Servia, the soul of a sleeping witch leaves her as a butterfly ; in Transylvania, as a fly.^^
That insects were thought to bring good luck with them is shown by many facts. Cornish boys "always chase and try to kill the first butterfly of the season ; and, should they succeed, they will overcome their enemies — I suppose, in football, etc." "^ The converse belief prevailed in Devon- shire: "any individual neglecting to kill the first butterfly he may see for the season will have ill-luck throughout the season."^ In France, too, it was lucky to catch the first butterfly : " qui veult estre marie dans I'an, prenne le premier papillon qu'il verra." ^ In the Department of Ille et Vilaine, "celui qui attrape le premier papillon blanc qu'il voit au printemps, trouvera un essaim dans I'annee." ^^
If the parallel which I have drawn between the "fly" ceremony and other agricultural festivals is to be complete in every respect, it should appear that the insect victim was eaten. This I cannot show at Oxford, but, as Mr. Thomas points out,2' there are traces both in Britain and on the Continent of the eating of insects at festivals. The natives Ravilloles in Franche-Comte are nicknamed les Bur- daines, or cockchafers, the story being circulated by their neighbours that on the day of the village fete dishes of these insects are prepared to regale the guests invited.-^ In North Lincolnshire " it is sometimes affirmed that the
^^ Ibid., vol. iii., pp. 1073-4.
^-J. G. Frazer, Taboo, pp. 39, 41.
^ The FoIk-Lo)-e /otirtial, vol. v., p. 214.
2*W. Hone, The Table Book (1827), vol. i., col. 678.
^* E. Rolland, Faiine Poptilaire de la France, vol. iii., pp. 315-16.
"'^ Ibid.
^"^ Folk- Lore, vol. xi., p. 259.
"^ C. Beauquier, Blason Poptilaire de Franche-Comtc, quoted in Folk- Lore, vol. viii., p. 364.
