US FLORA HISTORICA. 



first of which was observed by affected mourning 

 for the death of Hyacinthus, during which time 

 none appeared with their usual garlands about their 

 heads, and they refused to eat bread, or to sing in 

 honour of Phoebus; but the two following days 

 •were spent in the games customary at ancient fes- 

 tivals, even the slaves were liberally entertained 

 during this period, and the altars of Apollo were 

 loaded with the accustomed victims. 



Homer mentions the Hyacinth amongst the 

 flowers which formed the genial couch of Jove and 

 Juno. 



Thick new-born Violets a soft carpet spread, 

 And clust'ring Lotos swell'd the rising bed, 

 And sudden Hyacinths the turf bestrow, 

 And flow'ry Crocus made the mountain glow. 



Iliad , Book 14. 



Crowns of Hyacinths were worn by the young 

 Greek virgins who assisted at the weddings of their 

 friends. Some authors suppose the Red Martagon 

 Lily to be the poetical Hyacinth of the ancients, 

 but this is evidently a mistaken opinion, as the 

 azure blue colour alone would decide ; and Pliny, 

 describes the Hyacinth as having a sword grass, 

 and the smell of the grape flower, which agrees 

 with the Hyacinth, but not with the Martagon. 

 Again, Homer mentions it with fragrant flowers of 

 the same season of the Hyacinths. The poets also 

 notice the Hyacinth under different colours, and 



