280 OF METEOROLOGICAL CHAP. 10. 1. 



ther about this time of year is followed by a 

 continuation, or a return, of severe cold and 

 frost. While the fixing the omen on this par- 

 ticular day, must, as on numerous similar in- 

 stances, be referred to the enthusiasm, and 

 constant recurrence to subjects of a religious 

 nature, of our ancestors, displayed in nothing 

 more clearly and uniformly, than their custom 

 of converting every natural phaenomenon into 

 a sacred memorial of some important event in 

 sacred history, of which the common names of 

 most of our old plants, known in early times, 

 furnish a familiar example.* The custom of light- 



* We arc reminded of the first appearance of the Snowdrop 

 Gulantha iiivalis, that universal harbinger of spring, and the 

 earliest of the Primaveral Flora, and of other plants which 

 follow, in the following lines : 



The Snowdrop, in purest white arraie, 



First rears her head on CANDLEMAS DAIJE, 



While the Crocus hastens to the shrine 



Of Primrose love on ST. VALENTINE. 



Then conies the Daffodil beside, 



Our Ladies' Smock at OURK LADYE TYDE, 



Againste ST. GEORGE, when blue coats are worn, 



The Harebells blue the fields adorn, 



While on the day of the HOLY CIUKSS, 



The Crowfoot gilds the flowerie grasso. 



When ST. BAHNABY bright smiles night and day, 



Poor Ragged Robin blooms in the hay. 



