Safe comes the ship to haven, Sit shining on the sails."-Lays of Ancient Rome. Orion is represented under the figure of a hunter assaulting Taurus. He has a sword in his belt, a club in his right hand, and the skin of a lion in his left. This is one of the most clearly defined and conspicuous constellations in the heavens. Principal stars.-Four brilliant stars, in the form of a parallelogram, mark the outlines of Orion. Betelgeuse, a beautiful ruddy star of the first magnitude, is in the right shoulder; Bellatrix (7), of the second magnitude, is in the left shoulder; Rigel, of the first magnitude, is in the left foot; and Saiph (x), of the third magnitude, is in the right knee. Two small stars near form with it a small triangle, which is itself the vertex of a larger triangle composed of λ, y, and Betelgeuse. Near the centre of the parallelogram are three stars forming "the Belt of Orion," called also the "Bands of Orion” (Job, xxxviii. 31), Jacob's rod, but more commonly the "Ell and Yard.” They received the last name because they form a line just 3° long, divided in equal parts by a star in the centre. These divisions are useful for measuring the distances of the stars. Running from the belt southward, is an irregular line of stars which marks the sword; and west of Bellatrix is a curved line denoting the lion's skin. South of Orion are four stars forming a beautiful figure styled the HARE. Mythological History.-Orion was a famous hunter. Becoming enamored of Merope, he desired to marry her. Enopion, her father, opposing the choice, took a favorable opportunity and put out the eyes of the unwelcome suitor. The blinded hero followed the sound of a Cyclop's hammer until he came to Vulcan's forge. He, taking pity, instructed Kedalion to conduct him to the abode of the sun. Placing his guide on his shoulder, Orion proceeded to the east, and at a favorable place "Climbing up a narrow gorge, Fixed his blank eyes upon the sun." The healing beams restored him to sight. As a punishment for having profanely boasted that he was able to conquer any animal the earth could produce, he was bitten in the heel by a scorpion. Afterward, Diana placed him among the stars; where SIRIUS and PROCYON, his dogs, follow him, the PLEIADES fly before him, and far remote is the SCORPION, by whose bite he perished. Canis Major and Canis Minor contain each a single star of the first magnitude, Sirius and Prócyon. These two, with Betelgeuse, Phaet in the Dove, and Naos in the Ship, form a huge figure known as the Egyptian X. Sirius, the dog-star, is the most brilliant star in the heavens. It travels at the rate of 840 miles per minute. Twenty-two years are required for its light to reach the earth; its distance being estimated at 1,375,000 times that of the sun from us. If its intrinsic brilliancy be the same as that of our sun, its diameter at that distance must be fifteen times as great, or 12,000,000 miles. Probably these estimates fall far below the reality of this magnificent orb. Leo is represented as a rampant lion. It is one of the most beautiful constellations in the zodiac. The principal stars are arranged in the form of a sickle. Regulus, in the handle, is a brilliant star of the first magnitude. It is one of the stars from which longitude is reckoned. It is almost exactly in the ecliptic. Zosma (5) lies in the back of the lion, e in the thigh, and Denebola, a star of the second magnitude, in the brush of the tail. Cancer includes the stars which lie irregularly scattered between Gemini, Head of Hydra, Procyon, and Leo. In the midst of these is a luminous spot, called Presepe or the Beehive, which an ordinary glass will resolve into stars. Virgo is represented as a beautiful maiden with folded wings, bearing in her left hand an ear of corn. The principal star is Spica Virginis, in the ear of corn. It is of the first magnitude, and is used for determining longitude at sea. Denebola, Cor Caroli, (a), Arcturus (Map No. 5), and Spica form a figure about 50° in length from north to south, called the Diamond of Virgo. The other stars may be easily traced by means of the map. Mythological History.-Virgo was the goddess Astræa. According to the poets, the early history of man was the golden age. It was a time of innocence and truth. The gods dwelt among men, and perpetual Spring delighted the earth. Next came the silver age, less tranquil and serene, but still the gods lingered and happiness prevailed. Then followed the brazen and iron ages, when wickedness reigned supreme. The earth was wet with slaughter The gods left the abodes of men one by one, Astræa alone remaining; until finally she too, last of all the immortals, bade the earth farewell. Jupiter thereupon placed her among the constellations. Hydra is a long straggling serpent having its head near Procyon and extending its tail beyond Virgo, a total distance of more than 100°. The principal star is Cor Hydræ, of the second magnitude. It is a lone star, and may be easily found by a line drawn from y Leonis through Regulus, and continued about 23°. The head is marked by a rhomboidal figure of four stars of the fourth magnitude lying near Procyon. Several delicate triangles near. may be formed of them and other small stars lying The Crater or Cup is a beautiful and very striking semicircle of six stars of the fourth magnitude directly south of Leonis. Corvus, the raven, & Corvi is in the equinoctial lies 15° east of the Cup. colure. Mythological history.—Hydra was a fearful serpent which in ancient times infested the lake Lerna. Its destruction constituted one of the twelve labors of Hercules. The Crow was formerly white, it is said, but was changed to its raven tint on account of its proneness to tale-bearing. Cor Caroli (a) is marked by a line passing from Benetnasch (♥) through Berenice's Hair to Denebola (B). Berenice's Hair is a beautiful cluster midway between Cor Caroli and Denebola. Near by is a single bright star of the fourth magnitude. Mythological history.-Berenice was the wife of Ptolemy. Her husband going upon a dangerous expedition, she promised to consecrate her beautiful |