FEBRUARY, the second month of the modern calendar. In ordinary years it contains 28 days; but in bissextile or leap year, it consists of 29 days. This month was not in the Romulian calendar. In the reign of Numa two months were added to the year, namely, January at the beginning and February at the end ; in 452 B.C. the decemvirs placed February after January. In February the Lupercalia were held, and women were purified by the priests of Pan Lyceus at that festival. The Anglo-Saxons called this month Sprout-Kale from the sprouting of the cabbage at this season. The most generally noted days of February are the following :—the 2nd, Candlemas day, one of the fixed quarter days used in Scotland ; and the 14th, St. Valentine's day.