Jane Beckman wrote about the legend of Laimenkainen in the Kalevala (one of my favorites)-- the story may have some connection with astronomical calendars regulating beekeeping activities (for more on this subject and on bees in astronomy and astrological lore see the July 1991 Griffith Observer (Journal of the Griffith Observatory). The bee in the story eventually has to fly over the Great Bear to obtain honey from the gardens of heaven to revive the slain hero of the saga. In the general area of the Great Bear, Ursa Major, can be seen the figure once identified as Apis, the Bee (or Vespa, the Wasp). This constellation is no longer officially recognized and has been incorporated into the constellation Taurus, where the Pleiades are found. These, Seven Stars are referred to in the epic poem, the Kalevala and, interestingly enough, were themselves perceived by the Chiriguana Indians of South America as a swarm of bees. Other constellations, Apis Indica (the Indian Bee) and again, Apis (or Apis Australis), were first charted in the southern skies by Dutchmen Pietr Dirkz Keyser and Frederic de Houtman between the years 1595-1597. The southern Apis is now known as Musca (the Fly), and Apis Indica has become Apus, represented as something similar to a humming bird. - " ` Conrad Berube " ` 244 Linden Avenue _- -_`-_|'\ /` Victoria, B.C. _/ / / -' `~()() V8V 4E5 \_\ _ /\-._/\/ (604)480-0223 / | | email: [log in to unmask] '` ^ ^ -- [log in to unmask]