3o8 THE STORY OF PLANT LIFE 



Downdilly, Giggary, Glens, Gracy Day, Gregories, 

 Haverdrils, Hen-and-chicks, Julians, Lent-cocks, 

 Lentils, Lent Lily, Lent Roses, Lide Lily, Easter 

 Lily, Yellow Lily, Primrose Peerless, Queen Anne's 

 Flowers. 



The Rev. Hilderic Friend writes, *' The Anglo- 

 Saxon name for March is Hyldmonard, which, in the 

 west of England was corrupted into Lide, in which 

 form it still lives on in some old proverbs, as well as 

 in the name Lide Lily, by which the Daffodil or Lent 

 Lily is intended." 



In Devonshire the Daffodil is called Lent Rose, 

 Lent Lily, Lent-a-Lily, and Lents. In the plural 

 Daffodils are called Lents, Lent Roses, Lent Rosen, 

 Lent Lilies, Lentils, the last by confusion with the 

 Lentil. 



The name Lent-cocks is '* in allusion, it seems, to 

 the barbarous custom of cock-throwing, which was 

 prescribed by our forefathers for Lent, or rather for 

 Shrove Tuesday, the boys, in the absence of live 

 cocks to throw sticks at, practised the art of decapi- 

 tation on the flower." 



In Devonshire to carry a single flower of a 

 Daffodil, the first of the season, into the house was 

 regarded as unlucky. 



Children repeat these lines : 



" Daff-a-down-dill 

 Has now come to town 

 In a yellow petticoat 

 And a green gown." 



