FLORAL EMBLEMS. 
39 
FEBRUARY. 
“ You have such a February face, 
So full of frost, of storm, and cloudiness.” 
Shakspeare. 
As an emblem for this month, is presented 
a wreath of Snow-drops, Galanthus nivalis, 
surrounding a pair of Goldfinches, as birds 
usually couple about the middle of February, 
when the good Bishop St. Valentine’s day is 
celebrated ; for, 
“ All the air is his diocese. 
And all the chirping choristers 
And other birds, are his parishioners. 
He marries every year 
The lyrique lark, and the grave whispering dove; 
The sparrow, that neglects his life to love ; 
The household bird with red stomacher; 
He makes the blackbird speed as soon 
As doth the goldfinch or the halicon.” 
“ February,” says Peacham, “ shall be 
clothed in a dark sky colour, carrying in 
