star in the second bend of
Eridanus. A bright star of the first magnitude in the rudder of the ship
Argo, which, according to Pliny, was visible at Alexandria in Egypt.

CENTAURUS.--One of the forty-eight old constellations in the southern
hemisphere, represented in the form of half man and half horse, who was
fabled by the Greeks to have been Chiron, the tutor of Achilles.

AVA, or ALTAR.--One of the old constellations, and fabled to have been
that at which the giants entered into their conspiracy against the gods;
wherefore Jupiter, in commemoration of the event, transplanted the altar
into the heavens.

PEGASUS.--One of the forty-eight old constellations of the northern
hemisphere, figured in the form of a flying horse.

DELPHINUS, or DOLPHIN.--A northern constellation, near Pegasus. The
Dolphin is fabled to have been translated to heaven by Neptune.

AQUILA, the Eagle.--In the Arabic Altair, but in the Persian tables the
Flying Vulture. This is one of the old constellations, situated near
Delphinus in the northern hemisphere. According to Grecian fable, Aquila
represented Ganymede or Hebe, who was transported to heaven and made
cup-bearer to Jupiter.

SAGITTA--the Dart or Arrow, called by the Arabians Schahan. One of
the old constellations in the northern hemisphere, near Aquila and
Delphinus. It is fabled to have been the arrow with which Hercules slew
the vulture that was devouring the liver of Prometheus who was, like
Jesus, crucified for loving mankind.

CYGNUS, the Swan.--An old constellation in the milky-way, between
Equus and the Dragon. This is fabled to be the swan into which Jupiter
transformed himself in order to deceive the virtuous Leda, wife of
Tyndareus, king of Sparta. The Grecian matron, like the Jewish virgin,
thus became the mother of a God.

LYRA.--A northern constellation between Hercules and Cygnus, containing
a white star of the first magnitude.

MILKY-WAY.--Galaxy, or Via Lactia.--A broad luminous path or circle
encompassing the heavens, which is easily discernible by its white
appearance, from which it derives its name. It is supposed to be the
blended light of innumerable fixed stars, which are not distinguishable
with ordinary telescopes.

HYDRA, the Serpent.--A southern constellation of great length, which is
drawn to represent a serpent. The Hydra is fabled to have been placed in
the heavens by Apollo, to frighten the Raven from drinking.

ORION, the hunter.--A constellation