70 LENT. 



MARCH 10. SS. THE FORTY MARTYRS of Sebaste, 



A.D. 320. 



St. Droctovaeus, abbot, 580. 



St. Mackessoge or Kessoge, confessor. 



Obs. The celebrated forty martyrs suffered at Sebaste in Lesser 

 Armenia in 320. They all belonged to the Thundering Legion so 

 famous under the guidance of JNIarcus Aurelius for the miraculous 

 rain and the victory said to be obtained by their prayers. They 

 suffered for refusing to comply with a general order to sacrifice to the 

 heathen gods, issued by the Emperor Licinius. Their reliques were 

 held in high estimation. 



Upright Chickweed Veronica triphyllos flowers. 



We transcribe the above plant, recorded as flovi'ering about to- 

 day. Crocuses, Primroses, Polyanthuses, Hepaticas, Hellebores, 

 and Snowdrops of various sorts, now ornament the parterre in 

 profusion. 



Willows of several sorts begin now to flower, and their blossoming 

 branches are used in the Christian churches on Palm Sunday instead 

 of real Palms. 



The Almond Tree now flowers in early years, and its rich pmk 

 blossoms have a beautiful effect. 



The smallest Willow Wren Ficedula Hippolais now arrives, and 

 begins to sing. In 1826 we noticed this little bird in full song sitting 

 on the top of a vane at Hanwell in Sussex. It is the smallest of 

 the three Willow Wrens. 



On Spare Eating of Neadow, 

 Spare meadow at Gregory, marshes at Pasque, 

 For fear of dry summer no longer time ask ; 

 Then hedge them and ditch them, bestow thereon pence, — 

 Corn, Meadow, and Pasture, ask alway good fence. 



Tusser. 



