24. Ammianus, in a long, because unseasonable, digression
(xxvi. 1, and Valesius ad locum), rashly supposes that he
understands an astronomical question, of which his readers
are ignorant. It is treated with more judgment and propriety
by Censorinus (de Die Natali, c. 20), and Macrobius
(Saturnal. l. i. c. 12- 16). The appellation of
Bissextile, which marks the inauspicious year (Augustin.
ad Januarium, Epist. 1l9), is derived from the repetition
of the sixth days of the calends of March.