GREGORY TIDE. 69 



MARCH 9. St. Frances, widow, a.d. 1440. 



St. Catherine of Bologna, virgin and abbess, 1463. 



St. Gregory of Nyssa, bishop and c. in 400. 



St. Pacian, bp. of Barcelona, c. 



Obs. St. Frances was born at Rome in 1384. She showed 

 early a desire for a cloister, but was brutally forced, by her parents, 

 into an early marriage. The marriage, however, turned out fortu- 

 nate, and she was, after many years performing the duties of a wife, 

 permitted to follow her own inclinations. She ate but once a day, 

 and wore a hair shirt and a girdle of horsehair, and used a severe 

 discipline. She founded the Oblates, and gave them the rule of 

 St. Benedict, and put them under the direction of the OUvetans. 

 They received afterwards the name of Collatines, from the quarter 

 of Rome where they dwelled. 



St. Gregory of Nyssa was younger brother of St. Basil the Great. 



St. Catherine of Bologna was prioress of the Nunnery of Poor 

 Clares, as they were called, who followed the austere rule of the 

 third order of St. Francis. Among other works she wrote one cele- 

 brated book On the Seven Spiritual Alms. 



Petticoat Daffodil Narcissus bulbocodium flowers. 



This plant, called also Fiore de S. Catherina, is now in blow in 

 pots in the greenhouse, in which it has a very pleasing appearance ; 

 but in the open ground it does not flower till the beginning of May. 

 These plants, called also Pauvres Filles de Ste, Claire, are so orna- 

 mental in a garden that they should never be omitted. A light 

 sandy soil suits them best. They have been long cultivated in this 

 country, but are natives of the Peninsula. 



The Spring Floiuers, from Bidlake. 

 The Jonquil loads with potent breath the air. 

 And rich in golden glory nods ; there, too, 

 Child of the wind. Anemone, delights ; 

 Or, in its scarlet robe of various dyes, 

 Ranunculus, reflecting every ray ; 

 The Polyanthus, and with prudent head 

 The Crown Imperial, ever bent on earth. 

 Favouring her secret rites and pearly sweets. 



