16 



JANUARY. 



rays of the sun. I have seen the leaves of the 

 primrose shooting up vigorously beneath the 

 warm hedges at such times ; and moles, feeling 

 the ground released from its frosty bondage, 

 begin to burrow and throw up their heaps of 

 fresh and crumbly mould. 



Our Saxon ancestors termed this month 

 Aefter-yula, or After-Christmas. The Greeks 

 called it Anthesterion, or, the Flowery, from 

 the quantity of flowers used at the feast of 

 Bacchus ; but our present name is derived 

 from the Latin, Janus, door-keeper of heaven, 

 and God of peace, the name, therefore, in- 

 dicates that it is the gate of the year, and pro- 

 bably has reference to the earth in this month 

 being in a state of quiet and inactivity. 



One of the things which is most deserving of 

 our observation at this season is, the wisdom of 

 Providence displayed in the provision made for 

 the preservation of all vegetable productions. 

 Seeds are secure in the earth, or in the care 

 of man ; herbaceous plants have died down to 

 the root, which, secure in their underground 

 retreat, are preparing their fresh shoots, leaves, 



