2. From the nymphs the name Melissae was transferred to priestesses in general, but more especially to those of Demeter (Schol. (ad Pind. l.c.; Callim. Hymn. in Apoll. 110; Hesych. s. v. Μελισσαι), Persephone (Schol. (ad Theocrit. 15.94), and to the priestess of the Delphian Apollo. (Pind. P. 4.106; Schol. ad Eurip. Hippol. 72.) According to the scholiasts of Pindar and Euripides, priestesses received the name Melissae from the purity of the bee. Comp. a story about the origin of bees in Serv. ad Aen. 1.434.