FLORAL EMBLEMS. 
43 
A branch of hawthorn in full flower, sup¬ 
porting a nest of young birds “ demanding 
food with constant clamour,” is presented as 
the emblem of May. 
“ May,” says Peacham, “ must be drawn 
with a sweet and amiable countenance, clad 
in a robe of white and green, embroidered 
with daffodilles, hawthorn, and blewbottles; 
upon his head a garland of white, damask, and 
red roses; in one hand a lute, upon the fore¬ 
finger of the other a nightingale, with the 
sign gemini : it was called Maius a majoribus ; 
for Romulus having divided the people of 
Rome into two parts, majores and minores, 
whereof the younger were appointed to defend 
their country by strength, the elder by counsel. 
May, so called in the honour of one, and 
June of the other,” 
“ Hinc sua majores tribuere vocabula Maio, 
.funis a invenum nomine dictus adest.” 
Ovid. 
