dunstan's tide. 139 



MAY 18. St. Eric the King, martyr, a.d. 1151. 



St. Theodotus, &c. seven virgins mm, in 303. 



St. Venantius, martyr, 250. 



St. Potamon, bishop and martyr, 341. 



Obs. St. Eric was placed upon the throne of Sweden purely for 

 his extraordinary qualifications, according to the antient laws of 

 that kingdom. He was put to death by conspirators, among whom 

 was Magnus, son of the King of Denmark. His death happened on 

 the 18th of May, 1151. 



Mouseear Hieracium Pilosella flowers. 

 Catsear Hypochaeris radicata flowers. 



The Mouseear is distinguished from the rest of this tribe of plants 

 by its paler or almost sulphur coloured flowers. 



The Pionies are usually nearly all in blow by this time ; the 

 Globeflowers still remain ; the Monkey Poppy and numerous other 

 of the vernal Flora are in perfection. 



Goatsucker Caprimulgus Europaeus arrives. 



The harsh burring note of the above bird is often heard by night in 

 the woodland fields. 



The Lily of the Valley is now in full flower ; it likes a loose sandy 

 soil and a shady situation, is increased by parting the roots in 

 autumn, which should be done about once in three years, and must 

 be gently watered every evening in dry summer weather. When 

 the roots of this plant be confined in a pot, it may also be increased 

 by its red berry ; but in the woods, where the roots are allowed to 

 spread, it seldom produces the berry, as Rousseau observes. 



Of the Lily of the Valley, — called also Lily Convally, and May 

 Lily, and in some country villages Ladder to Heaven ; in French, 

 le Miiguet, Lis des Valtees, Muguet de Mai, and gros Mougiiet ; in 

 Italian, ;/ Mughetto, Giglio Convatlio, Giglio delle Cononlli, — 

 there are three species, the sweetscented, the grassleaved, and the 

 spiked. Tiie first is a native of Britain and many other parts of 

 Europe. It flowers in May, whence it has been yclept by some 

 folks the JMay Lily. See Gerard's Herbal. 



The other species of the Lily of the Valley are natives of Japan. 



No flower amitl the garden fairer grows 

 Tlian the sweet Lily of the lowly Vale, 

 The queen of flowers. 



And Valley Lilies, whiter still 



Than Leda's love. Endymion, p. 10. 



