stretching obliquely over the heavens from northeast to southwest, gradually moving over the firmament in common with other constellations.

Its form, breadth and appearance are various, in different parts of its course. In some places it is dense and luminous; in others, it is scattered and faint. Its breadth is often not more than five degrees; though sometimes it is ten or fifteen degrees, and even twenty. In some places it assumes a double path, but for the most part it is single.

It may be traced in the heavens, beginning near the head of Cepheus, about 30° from the north pole, through the constellations Cassiopeia, Perseus, Auriga, and part of Orion and the feet of Gemini, where it crosses the Zodiac; thence over the equinoctial into the southern hemisphere, through Monoceros, and the middle of the ship Argo, where it is most luminous, Charles's Oak, the Cross, the feet of the Centaur, and the Altar. Here it is divided into two branches, as it passes over the Zodiac again into the northern hemisphere. One branch runs through the tail of Scorpio, the bow of Sagittarius, the shield of Sobieski, the feet of Antinous, Aquila, Delphinus, the Arrow, and the Swan. The other branch passes through the upper part of the tail of Scorpio, the side of Serpentarius, Taurus Poniatowski, the Goose and the neck of the Swan, where it again unites with the other branch, and passes on to the head of Cepheus, the place of its beginning.

There are several other nebula in the heavens as large as the Milky-Way, but not visible to the naked eye, which may exhibit the phenomenon of a lucid zone to the planetary worlds that may be placed within them.

Some of the pagan philosophers maintained that the Milky-Way was formerly the sun's path, and that its present luminous appearance is the track which its scattered beams left visible in the heavens.

The ancient poets and even philosophers, speak of the Galaxy, or Milky-Way, as the path which their deities used in the heavens, and which led directly to the throne of Jupiter. Thus, Ovid, in his Metamorphoses, Book i. :—

"A way there is in heaven's extended plain,
Which when the skies are clear is seen below,
And mortals, by the name of Milky, know;

The groundwork is of stars, through which the road
Lies open to the Thunderer's abode."

Milton alludes to this, in the following lines:

"A broad and ample road, whose dust is gold,
And pavement, stars, as stars to thee appear,
Seen in the Galaxy, that Milky-Way,

Which nightly, as a circling zone, thou seest
Powdered with stars."

CHAPTER XV.

ORIGIN OF THE CONSTELLATIONS.

THE Science of astronomy was cultivated by the imme diate descendants of Adam. JOSEPHUS informs us that the

Describe the breadth and appearance of the Milky-Way. How may it be traced in he heavens? Are there other nebulæ in the heavens as large as the Milky-Way? How carly was the science of astronomy cultivated? What authority have we for affixing so Parly a date to the science?

sons of SETH employed themselves in the study of astronomy; and that they wrote their observations upon two pillars, one of brick, and the other of stone,* in order to preserve them against the destruction which ADAM had foretold should come upon the earth. He also relates, that Abraham argued the unity and power of God, from the orderly course of things both at sea and land, in their times and seasons, and from his observations upon the motions and influences of the sun, moon, and stars; and that he read lectures in astronomy and arithmetic to the Egyptians, of which they understood nothing till Abraham brought these sciences from Chaldea to Egypt; from whence they passed to the Greeks.

BEROSUS also observes that Abraham was a great and just man, and famous for his celestial observations; the making of which was thought to be so necessary to the human welfare, that he assigns it as the principal reason of the Almighty's prolonging the life of man. This ancient historian tells us, in his account of the longevity of the antediluvians, that Providence found it necessary to prolong man's days, in order to promote the study and advancement of virtue, and the improvement of geometry and astronomy, which required, at least, six hundred years for making and perfecting observations.†

When Alexander took Babylon, Calisthenes found that the most ancient observations existing on record in that city, were made by the Chaldeans about 1903 years before that period, which carries us back to the time of the dispersion of mankind by the confusion of tongues. It was 1500 years after this that the Babylonians sent to Hezekiah, to inquire about the shadow's going back on the dial of Ahaz.

It is therefore very probable that the Chaldeans and Egyptians were the original inventors of astronomy; but at what period of the world they marked out the heavens into constellations, remains in uncertainty. La Place fixes the date thirteen or fourteen hundred years before the Christian era, since it was about this period, that Eudoxus constructed the first celestial sphere upon which the constellations were de

*Josephus affirms, that "he saw himself that of stone to remain in Syria in his own time." + Vince's Complete System of Astronomy, Vol. ii. p. 244.

What does Josephus relate concerning Abraham's knowledge of astronomy? Who, does he say, first introduced this science into Egypt? What other historian of remote antiquity speaks of Abraham's attention to this science? What reason does Berosus assign for the longevity of the antediluvians? When Alexander took Babylon, what ancient observations did he find in that city? To what period of the world do these observations carry us back? How long after this was it that the Babylonians sent to Hezekiah, to inquire about the shadow's going back on the dial of Ahaz? Who, then, may we conclude, were the original inventors of astronomy, and at what period did they arrange the fixed stars into constellations When does La Place fix the date?

lineated.* Sir Isaac Newton was of opinion, that all the old constellations related to the Argonautic expedition, and that they were invented to commemorate the heroes and events of that memorable enterprise. It should be remarked, however, that while none of the ancient constellations refer to transactions of a later date, yet we have various accounts of them, of a much higher antiquity than that event.

Some of the most learned antiquarians of Europe have searched every page of heathen mythology, and ransacked all the legends of poetry and fable for the purpose of rescuing this subject from that impermeable mist which rests upon it, and they have only been able to assure us, in general terms, that they are Chaldean or Egyptian hieroglyphics, intended to perpetuate by means of an imperishable record, the memory of the times in which their inventors lived, their religion and manners, their achievements in the arts, and whatever in their history, was most worthy of being commemorated. There was at least, a moral grandeur in this idea; for an event thus registered, a custom thus canonized, or thus enrolled among the stars, must needs survive all other traditions of men, and stand forth in perpetual characters to the end of time.

In arranging the constellations of the Zodiac, for instance, it would be natural for them, we may imagine, to represent those stars which rose with the sun in the spring of the year, by such animals as the shepherds held in the greatest esteem at that season; accordingly, we find Aries, Taurus, and Gemini, as the symbols of March, April, and May.

The usual size of artificial globes, designed to represent the celestial sphere, is from 9 to 18 inches in diameter. Globes have been recently constructed in Germany, which are said to be more splendid and complete than any in the world. The largest ever made are that of Gottorp, two in the library of the late king of France, and one in Pembroke college, Cambridge.

The globe of Gottorp, now in the Academy of Sciences at Petersburg, is a large hollow sphere, eleven and a half feet in diameter, containing a table and seats for twelve persons. The inside represents the visible surface of the heavens, bespangled with gilded stars, ranged in their proper order and magnitude, and by means of a curious piece of mechanism by which it is put in motion, exhibits the true position of the stars, at any time, together with their rising and setting. The convex surface, or outside of this globe, represents the terrestrial sphere.

In 1704, two globes of equal dimensions, it is said, were made for Cardinal d'Estrees, by Cornelli, a Venitian, and deposited in the king's library at Paris. These, however, are far inferior in size to one of similar construction, erected at Pembroke college, in the University of Cambridge, by the late Dr. Long, president of that institution. This is a hollow sphere, sufficiently capacious to admit thirty persons to sit within it, where they can observe the artificial world of stars and planets, revolving over their heals, in the same order as they are seen in the heavens. This sphere is eighteen feet in diameter.

What opinion has Sir Isaac Newton advanced upon this subject? Have we however, any accounts of the constellations, of a higher antiquity than that event? Do any of the ancient constellations refer to transactions of a later date? What have the most learned antiquarians of Europe done upon this subject, and of what do they assure us? How long would the memory of an action, or event, thus registered, be likely to endure? In arranging the constellations of the Zodiac, how was it natural to represent the stars?

When the sun enters the sign Cancer, at the summer solsice, he discontinues his progress towards the north pole, and te ins to return towards the south pole. This retrograde motion was fitly represented by a Crab, which is said to go backwards. The sun enters this sign about the 22d of June.

The heat which usually follows in the next month, was represented by the Lion; an animal remarkable for its fierceness, and which at this season was frequently impelled by thirst, to leave the sandy desert, and make its appearance on the banks of the Nile.

The sun entered the sixth sign about the time of harvest, which season was therefore represented by a Virgin, or female reaper, with an ear of corn in her hand.

At the autumnal equinox, when the sun enters Libra, the days and nights are equal all over the world, and seem to observe an equilibrium or balance. The sign was therefore represented under the symbol of a pair of Scales.

Autumn, which produces fruit in great abundance, brings with it a variety of diseases, and on this account was represented by that venomous animal the Scorpion, which, as he recedes, wounds with a sting in his tail. The fall of the leaf was the season for hunting, and the stars which mark the sun's path at this time were represented by a huntsman, or archer, with his arrows and weapons of destruction.

The Goat, which delights in climbing and ascending some mountain or precipice, is the emblem of the winter solstice, when the sun begins to ascend from the southern tropic, and gradually to increase in height for the ensuing half year.

Aquarius, or the Water-Bearer, is represented by the figure of a man pouring out water from an urn, an emblem of the dreary and uncomfortable season of winter.

The last of the zodiacal constellations was Pisces, or a couple of fishes, tied back to back, representing the fishing season. The severity of winter is over; the flocks do not afford sustenance, but the seas and rivers are open and abound with fish.

"Thus monstrous forms, o'er heaven's nocturnal arch

Seen by the sage, in pomp celestial march;

See Aries there his glittering bow unfold,

And raging Taurus toss his horns of gold;
With bended bow the sullen Archer lowers,

And there Aquarius comes with all his showers;

What sign was represented under the figure of a Crab, and why? When does the cun enter this sign? What animal represented the heat of summer, and why? When does the sun enter the sixth sign, and how is this season represented? Why was the sign which the sun enters at the autumnal equinox represented under the symbol of a Balance? Why were the autumnal signs, Scorpio and Sagittarius, represented as they are? What does the Goat represent? What is signified by the Water-Bearer? What do the Fishes represent}

Lions and Centaurs, Gorgons, Hydras rise,

And gods and heroes blaze along the skies."*

Whatever may have led to the adoption of these rude names at first, they are now retained to avoid confusion.

The early Greeks, however, displaced many of the Chaldean constellations, and substituted such images in their place as had a more special reference to their own history. The Romans, also, pursued the same course with regard to their history; and hence the contradictory accounts that have descended to later times.

Some, moreover, with a desire to divest the science of the stars of its pagan jargon and profanity, have been induced to alter both the names and figures of the constellations. In doing this, they have committed the opposite fault; that of blending them with things sacred. The "venerable Bede," for example, instead of the profane names and figures of the twelve constellations of the Zodiac, substituted those of the twelve apostles. Julius Schillerius, following his example, completed the reformation in 1627, by giving Scripture names to all the constellations in the heavens. Weigelius, too, a celebrated professor of mathematics in the university of Jena, made a new order of constellations, by converting the firmament into a CŒLUM HERALDICUM, in which he introduced the arms of all the princes of Europe. But astronomers, generally, never approved of these innovations; and for ourselves, we had as lief the sages and heroes of antiquity should continue to enjoy their fancied honours in the sky, as to see their places supplied by the princes of Europe.

The number of the old constellations, including those of the Zodiac, was only forty-eight. As men advanced in the knowledge of the stars, they discovered many, but chiefly in southern latitudes, which were not embraced in the old constellations, and hence arose that mixture of ancient and mod ern names which we meet with in modern catalogues.

* The order of the signs is thus described by Dr. Watts:

The Ram, the Bull, the heavenly Twins

And next the Crab, the Lion shines,

The Virgin, and the Scales;

The Scorpion, Archer, and Sea-Goat,
The Man that holds the Water-Pot,

And Fish, with glittering tails.

Similar to this are the Latin verses :

Sunt, aries, taurus, gemini, cancer, leo, virgo,

Libraque, scorpius, arcitenens, caper, amphora, pisces.

Why have attempts been made to change the names and figures of the ancient constellations? What fault has been committed in doing this? What did the venerable Bede substitute for the profane names and figures of the twelve constellations of the Zodiac? Who followed his example, and to what extent? What other change was attempted, and by whom? Have astronomers generally approved of these innovations? What was the number of the old constellations? Whence is the mixture of ancient and modern names which we meet with in modern catalogues?