6.
[65] _Honey_ .-- Honey was an important edible to the ancients, and, therefore, likely to obtain special mention.

Keating impugns the veracity of Solinus, who stated that there were no bees in Ireland, on the authority of Camden, who says: "Such is the quantity of bees, that they are found not only in hives, but even in the trunks of trees, and in holes in the ground." There is a curious legend anent the same useful insect, that may interest apiarians as well as hagiologists.

It is said in the life of St.David, that when Modomnoc (or Dominic) was with St.
David at Menevia, in Wales, he was charged with the care of the beehives, and that the bees became so attached to him that they followed him to Ireland.

However, the Rule of St.Albans, who lived in the time of St.Patrick (in the early part of the fifth century), may be quoted to prove that bees existed in Ireland at an earlier period, although the saint may have been so devoted to his favourites as to have brought a special colony by miracle or otherwise to Ireland.

The Rule of St.Alban says: "When they [the monks] sit down at table, let them be brought [served] beets or roots, washed with water, in clean baskets, also apples, beer, and honey from the hive." Certainly, habits of regularity and cleanliness are here plainly indicated as well as the existence of the bee.
[66] _Fish_ .-- It is to be presumed that fish are destined to prosper in Hibernia: of the ancient deer, more hereafter.