Everything, therefore, portended a change in this sphere, but few persons expected a change so drastic as that which Bonaparte now brought about in the measure of 28 Pluviose, year VIII.
Becoming law on 18 Pluviose, year IX.
In the year VIII., in the discussion of the law of the 28th Pluviose, no reason was stated for the choice of this term.
The winter months were Nivose, the snowy, Pluviose, the rainy, and Ventose, the windy month; then followed the spring months, Germinal, the month of buds, Floreal, the month of flowers, and Prairial, the month of meadows; and lastly the summer months, Messidor, the month of reaping, Thermidor, the month of heat, and Fructidor, the month of fruit.
The prefects of the department were created by a law of the 28th Pluviose in the year VIII.