Name some of the principal new constellations, that have been composed out of the unformed stars, in the northern hemisphere.

CHAPTER IV.

Of the southern constellations, and fables relative to

them.

1. The Southern Constellations are 47 in number, besides a few new constellations that have lately been added by Lemonnier, Bode, and other modern astronomers.

Besides the constellations in the Zodiac, the catalogue of Ptolemy, (which is the first or earliest on record,) enumerates 15 constellations to the south of the equinoctial; but these included only the visible part of the southern hemisphere, or such as came under the notice of the ancient astronomers. The number of constellations, however, increased as the knowledge of the stars became more extensive; and, at the same time, more stars were introduced, into each constellation, as their positions became known. For the names of the southern constellations, and of the most remarkable stars in each, the student is referred to Table III. Chapter II.

2. CETUS: Menkar of the 2d, Baten Kailos of the 3d, and Mira, which is sometimes of the 2d and at other times invisible, are the most remarkable stars in this constellation.

Cetus, the Whale, is represented by the Greek poets as the sea-monster which Neptune, brother to Juno, sent to devour Andromeda, and which, as we have before stated, was killed by Perseus.

3. ERIDANUS: Achernar, a star of the first magnitude, which is not visible at the city of New-York, is the principal star in this constellation.

Eridanus, the river Po, called by Virgil the king of rivers, was placed in the heavens for receiving Phæton, whom Jupiter struck with thunder-bolts, when the earth was threatened with a general conflagration, through the ignorance of Phæton, who had presumed to be able to guide the chariot of the sun. According to those who explain this poetical fable, Phæton was a Ligurian prince, who studied astronomy, and in whose age the neighbourhood of the Po was visited with uncommon heats. He is generally acknowledged to be the son of Phœbus and Clymene, one of the Oceanides. The river Po is sometimes called Orion's river.

4. ORION: Rigel and Betelguez, both of the first magnitude, are the most remarkable stars in this constellation. Bellatrix and the three stars in Orion's belt, are also very conspicuous stars of the second magnitude. So that Orion is composed of a greater number of bright stars than any other constellation in the heavens.

Orion is represented on the celestial globe by the figure of a man, with a sword in his belt, a club in his right hand, and the skin of a lion in his left; he is said by some authors to be the son of Neptune and Euryale, a famous huntress. Orion was a celebrated hunter, superior to the rest of mankind, by his strength and uncommon stature; and he even boasted that there was not any animal on the earth which he could not conquer. Others say, that Jupiter, Neptune, and Mercury, as they travelled over Bætia, met with great hospitality from Hyrieus, a peasant of the country, who was ignorant of their dignity and character. When Hyrieus had discovered that they were gods, he welcomed them by the voluntary sacrifice of an ox. Pleased with his piety, the gods promised to grant him whatever he required, and the old man, who had lately lost his wife, and to whom he made a promise never to marry again, desired them that, as he was childless, they would give him a son without obliging him to break his promise. The gods consented, and Orion was produced from the hide of an ox. Some authors, who explain this fable, say that Orion was a great astronomer and a dis

ciple of Atlas. Others assert that the fable respecting Orion was a copy of the story of Abraham entertaining the three angels, who came and foretold him the birth of a son, though his wife was superannuated. (See Lemprier's Classical Dictionary.)

5. CANIS MAJOR: Sirius, usually called the Dog Star, of the first magnitude, is the most remarkable star not only in this constellation, but in the heavens, being the largest and brightest, and therefore considered the nearest to us or all the fixed stars.

There are also several other conspicuous stars in this constellation. According to Francœur, the stars marked β, γ, δ, ε, and η, are all of the second magnitude.

Canis Major, the Great Dog, according to the Greek fables was one of Orion's hounds. The Egyptians, who carefully watched the rising of this constell tion, and by it judged of the swelling of the Nile, called the bright star Sirius, the centinel and watch of the year; and, according to their hieroglyphical manner of writing, represented it under the figure of a dog. The Egyptians called the Nile Siris, and hence, according to some mythologists, is derived the name of their deity Osiris. The Abbe Bannier is of opinion that Osiris is the same with Misrain, the son of Ham, who peopled Egypt some time after te deluge, and who after his death was deified; and he is led by the ancients the son of Jupiter, because he was son of Ham or Hammon, whom he himself had acknow ged as a god.

6. CANIS MINOR: I tude is the principal star

yon of the first magnithis constellation.

Canis Minor, the Little Dog, according to the Greek fables, is one of Orion's hounds; but the Egyptians were most probably the inventors of this constellation, and as it rises before the dog star, which, at a particular season was so much dreaded, it is properly represented as a little watchful creature, giving notice of the other's approach; hence, the Latins have called it Anti-canis, the star before the dog.

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