MARK TIDE. 117 



APRIL 26. SS. Cletus and Marcellinus, popes and 

 martyrs, a.d. 89, and 296. 

 St. Richarius, abbot. 

 St. Pascharius Radbert, abbot. 



Obs. St. Cletus was the third Bishop of Rome : he sat twelve 

 years, from 76 to 89. Bede and other maityrologists style him a 

 martyr. He was buried near St. Linus, on the Vatican. 



St. Marcellinus succeeded St. Caius in 296: he sat in St. Peter's 

 Chair eight years, three months, and twenty five days, dying in 304, 

 a year after the persecution broke out, in which he trained much 

 honour. He has been styled a martyr, though his blood was not 

 shed in the cause of religion. 



Cowslip Primula veris in full flower. 



The Cowslip or Pagle, as it is called in some places, is now in 

 full flower, and in moist meadows is very numerous ; it is smaller 

 than the Oxelip before described. Botanists are not agreed as to the 

 distinctness of the species. To us it seems that Primroses, Poly- 

 anthuses, Cowslips, and Oxelips, are only varieties of the same 

 plant, and that some variations have become more fixed and lasting 

 than others. Shakspeare thus accurately describes this plant : 



Let Cowslips tall her pensioners be. 

 In their gold coats spots you see ; 

 Those be rubies fairy favours. 

 In those freckles live their savours ; 

 I must go seek some dewdrops here. 

 And hang a pearl in every Cowslip's ear. 



Milton contrasts 



The yellow Cowslip with the pale Primrose. 

 He also says, when scattering flowers on the urn of Lycidas, 

 Bring Cowslips wan that hang the pensive head. 



In Comus too he speaks of the Cowslip that bends not as the nymph 

 5abrina treads on it. 



Cowslip wine is exceedingly well made in many parts of England, 

 ind is said by Pope to induce sleep. 



The Crossflower Polygala vulgaris is also called Flos Ambarualis 

 and Rogation Flower : it is used in the processions in Rogation 

 Week, and it continues to blow all summer. See it under its proper 

 day, May 3. 



