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.