48 SHROVE TIDE? 



FEB. 17. St. Flaa'iax, abp. of Constantinople, 

 martyr, a.d. 449. 



SS. Theodulus and Julian, martyrs. 



St. Sylvin of Anchy, B.C. 



St. Loman or Luman, bishop in Ireland. 



St. Fintan, abbot in Ireland. 



06s. St. Flavian was Archbishop of Constantinople, and died a 

 martyr, as Butler affirms, of the mystery of the Incarnation. He 

 was murdered by some heretical and apostate clergy and others, 

 after opposing an obstinate contending faction of some standing in 

 the year 449. His remains were brought the year after to Constan- 

 tinople, and interred with great magnificence by the new empress 

 Pulcheria. 



Daphne Daphne laarcola flowers. 



Scotch Crocus Crocus bijiorus flowers. 



This plant flowers with the other two early kinds before mention- 

 ed, still we find it recorded as being in full flower today in some 

 Calendars, as if it were rather later than the others. But we believe 

 this to be a mistake. The pale lilac and the blue spring Crocus are 

 later, and do not get into full flower tdl March. As the Cloth of 

 Gold Crocus has large roots covered with network, so this sort is 

 distinguished by a yellowish colour about the roots, which are round, 

 and when dry very shining. Crocuses planted in clusters or in thick 

 rows, or scattered on banks, have a brilliant effect in the sunshine 

 of a bright primaveral day. Early in Lent we frequently see 

 Crocuses flowering in abundance in pots in windows in London ; and 

 for these situations sand alone, or sand mixed with a little dirt, is the 

 best soil. These plants are usually out of flower by Ladytide. 



On this day in 1781 a violent storm of thunder, lightning, and 

 hail, is recorded in a journal kept at Walthamstow. The storm 

 proved very destructive from the size of the hailstones. The weather 

 had been previously very showery, and the Aurora Borealis often 

 seen. 



The Chaffinch Frin^illu Coelebs begins to sine. 



