DEDICATION OF FLOWERS. 



THE Roman Catholic Monks, or the observers of Roman Catholic rules, have compiled a catalogue of Flowers, 

 for each day in the year, and dedicated each flower to a particular Saint, on account of its flowering about the time of the 

 Saint's festival. Such appropriations form a Floral Directory, which has been abstracted from Hone's Every Day Book, 

 printed in London in the year 1826. 



FLORAL DIRECTORY. 



JANUARY. 



1. Laurustinus, Viburnum tinus, St. Faine or Fanchea, 

 an Irish saint, of the sixth century. 



2. Groundsel, Senecio vuJgaris, St. Macarius, of Alex- 

 andria, A. D. 394. 



3. Iris, Persian, Iris persica, St. Genevieve, patroness 

 of Paris, A. D. 422. 



4. Hazel, Corylus avellana, St. Titus, disciple of St. 

 Paul. 



5. Hellebore, Helleborus faetidus, St. Simeon Stylites, 

 of Rome. 



6. Moss, screw, Tortula rigida, St. Nilammon. 



January the 6th, is called twelfth day, (by the French, 

 I*e jour des Rois,) because it falls on the twelfth day after 

 Christmas. There is a difference of opinion as to the origin 

 of Twelfth Day, yet all concur in the same end; that is, 

 to do honour to the Eastern Magi. Brand tells us, " that the 

 practice of choosing a king on twelfth .day, is similar to a 

 custom that existed among the ancient Greeks and Romans, 

 who on the festival days of Saturn, about this season of the 

 year, drew lots for kingdoms, and like kings, exercised their 

 temporary authority." Mr. Fosbroke affirms that " the king 

 of Saturnalia was elected by beans, and from thence came 

 our king and queen, on this day." In France the Twelfth- 

 cake is plain, with a bean; the drawer of the slice containing 

 the bean, is King or Queen. All drink to her, or his Ma- 

 jesty, who reigns, and receives homage from all during the 

 evening. 



" They come ! they come ! each blue-eyed sport, 



The twelfth-night king, and all his court 

 Tis mirth fresh crown'd with mistletoe; 



Music, with her merry fiddles, 



Joy, ' on light fantastic toe,' 

 Wit, with all his jests and riddles, 



Singing and dancing as they go." 



7. Laurel, Portugal, Prunus lusitanica, St. Kenti- 

 gerna. 



8. Tremclla, yellow, Tremella deliquescens, St. Gudula. 

 Patroness of Brussels. 



9. Laurel, common, Prunus lauro-cerasus, or common 

 small fruited cherry St. Marciana, of Rome. 



10. Gorse, Vlex Europxus, St. William, of Bourges, 

 A. D. 1207. 



11. Moss, early, Bryum hornum, Swan-neck thread- 

 moss. St. Theodosius. 



12. Moss, hygrometic, Funaria hygrometica, St. Arca- 

 dius. 



13. Yew Tree, common Taxus baccata, St. Veronica. 

 A nun of Milan, A. D. 1497. 



14. Strawberry, barren, Fragaria sterilis, St. Hilary, 

 A. D. 368. 



15. Ivy, Hedera helix, St. Paul the first Hermit. 



16. Nettle, common red Dead, N. Lamium purpureum, 

 St. Marcellus. Pope. 



17- Anemone, garden, Anemone hortensis, St. Anthony. 

 Patriarch of Monks, A. D. 251. 



18. Moss, four-toothed, Bryum pellucidum, St. Prisca. 

 A Roman Martyr. 



19. Nettle, white Dead, Lamium album, St. Martha. 

 A Roman Martyr, A. D. 270. 



20. Nettle, woolly Dead, Lamium garganicum, St. 

 Fabian. Pope. 



21. Hellebore, black, Helleborus niger, St. Agnes. A 

 special Patroness of purity. Beheaded at the age of 13, 

 A. D. 304. 



22. Grass, early whitlow, Draba verna, St. Vincent. A 

 Spanish Martyr. 



23. Peziza, Peziza acetabulum, St. Raymond, of Pen- 

 nafort, A. D. 1275. 



24. Moss, stalkless, Phascum muticum, St. Timothy. 

 Disciple of St. Paul, A. D. 250. 



25. Hellebore, winter, Helleborus hyemalis. The con- 

 version of St. Paul. 



On this day, (25th Jan.) prognostications of the months 

 were drawn for the whole year. If fair, and clear, there was 

 to be plenty; if cloudy, or misty, much cattle would die; if 

 rain, or snow fell, then it presaged a death; and if windy, 

 there would be wars. 



If Saint PauFs Day be fair and clear, 

 It does betide a happy year; 

 But if it chance to snow or rain, 

 Then will be dear all kinds of grain: 

 If clouds, or mists, do dark the sky, 

 Great store of birds and beasts shall die; 

 And if the winds do fly aloft, 

 Then wars shall vex the kingdoms oft. 



Willsford's Nature's Secrets. 



St. Paul's Day, is the first festival of an Apostle, in the 

 year. According to Dr. Foster, it is the festival of the con- 

 version of St. Paul. 



26. Butter-bur, white, Tussilago alba, or Colt's foot. 

 St. Polycarp. 



27. Moss, earth, Phascum cuspidatum, St. Chrysostum. 



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