dedicated to Saints 



79 



Much learning has been wasted in the endeavour 

 to discover the origin of the word Lammas ; " 

 some deriving it from Loaf-mass^ a Saxon term for 

 the Mass at which was offered a loaf made of the 

 new corn. Others find a solution of the term in 

 the Gaelic La-ith-mes^ pronounced La-ee-nias^ the 

 day of the obligation of grain whatever that 

 may be ; and many other conjectures might be 

 cited, when the most likely derivation was nearer 

 than they imagined. The service of the day was 

 called S. Peter ad Vincula mass^ as we find was 

 also the case at other times, such as at Christmas 

 and Michaelmas ; it is, therefore, easy to see how 

 that the service came to be called Vincula-mass, 

 and by an easy transition, La-mass. 

 Aug. 6. — Transfiguration of our Lord. Common 

 Meadow Saffron. Colchicum auiumnale. 

 The Meadow Saffron is very rarely in flower at 

 this time. 



^ Hone's Every Day Book," vol. i. p. 536. 



