286 OF METEOROLOGICAL CJAP. 10. ]. 



illusions of the next month, led by St. David, 

 of which Churchill observes : 



" March various, fierce and wild, with windcracked cheeks, 

 By milder Welchmen led, and crowned with Leaks." 



25th. It is esteemed lucky to have fair 

 weather at Ladytide. And the Daffodils are 

 found to be always in blow, however early or late 

 the season, time enough to adorn the Festival of 

 the Annunciation. This is also believed of other 

 plants, particularly the Marigold Calendula qffi- 

 chialis, and the little plant, called Our Ladies' 

 Smock or Chemise de Notre Dame Cardamine 

 pratensis, which first blows about Old Lady 

 Day.f It is said to be particularly lucky, 

 among the many weathers of March, to have 

 dust fly, particularly between the Showers. 



There are some peculiar superstitions attached 

 to the Moveable Feasts. Thus, the consecration 



* Some derive the bearing of Leaks to the neighbouring 

 custom of the Cymtortka practised by the Welch. 



The Shamrock is worn on St. Patrick's Day by the Irish, 

 in honour of the Saint's explanation of the Trinity by a leaf 

 of Trefoil. 



t See a curious Ode to Daffodillies in Herick's Hesperides. 

 The Narcissus Bulbocodinm used to be called Our Ladies' 

 Petticoat. 



