the second month of the year. In ordinary years it contains 28 days; but in bissextile or leap-year, by the addition of an intercalary day, 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; and this arrangement was continued until B.C. 452, when the decemvirs placed February after January. The ancient name of Februarius was derived from the verb februare, to purify; or from Februa, the Roman festival of general expiation and lustration, which was celebrated during the latter part of this month. In February, also, the Lupercalia were held, and women were purified by the priests of Pan Lyceus at that festival.