daring Phoenician launched into the ocean, and as he aimed at selecting a permanent guide during his voyage, he directed his eye to the spangled firmament, and consecrated the ample range, which enclosed 64 stars, to the memory of his revered progenitor, though one appropriate star became his conductor.

Which was that star, mamma?

It was the bright star in the rudder; this the Egyptians distinguished by the name of Canopus; and it is an interesting fact, that from the same term comes our English word canopy or covering. So that, without any great effort, we see in the ship Argo, the delineation of a canopy, the most interesting, and important, and valuable, that ever covered the defenceless head of man.

Some individual of consequence has, I suppose, had the honour of being introduced to that bright abode.

You are right; and it is interesting to observe, that the solution of every inquiry renders the position I am endeavouring to establish more evident; for it is no less a personage than Japhet, one of the sons of Noah, who was exalted to the celestial sphere under the name of Canopus. And what conjecture can be more probable, than that they, who thus honoured him, retained in their memories the tradition of the fact, that Japhet had attentively guided the rudder, that he had, during the

tempest, been the faithful pilot of his father's vessel? In Japhet, we also see the Egyptian god of mariners and the Greek Neptune.

Will you oblige me with a list of the constellations, that have been mentioned during this conversation?

CHAPTER XIX.

THE REMAINDER OF THE CONSTELLATIONS OP THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE.

That the statement, which I made relative to the ship Argo at the close of our last conversation, may receive some confirmation, I will immediately direct your attention to the constellations, which formerly occupied the situation next to Argo.

Which are they, mamma?

They are Hydra, the Raven, and Crater: a remarkable assemblage, you will certainly allow, since the stars could with equal propriety have been classed under any other forms. Their being included under these forms, you think allusive to the same great event ?

To Hydra I will direct your attention shortly; but, for a moment, observe the position of the Crow.

It is, mamma, standing on the back of Hydra.

Yes; beautifully illustrative of those words, "He sent forth a raven, which went forth to and from, until the waters were dried up from off the earth." See, its head is bent down,

and its wings raised, as if prepared, but yet reluctant to fly. Fetch me the maps I copied about six years since, from Flamstead's Atlas Celestis, and this evening I will furnish you with a portion from one, singularly illustrative of the present observation*.

This, then, represents the raven, which Noah sent out of the ark. Here, also I see the Dove, Ah! it is close to the ship, coming

mamma.

in with an olive-branch in its mouth.

Your discovery is not exactly to the point. Columba Noachi is not one of the 48 old constellations. But its introduction there intimates, that an impression, similar to that which I am endeavouring to make on your mind, really existed in the mind of the inventor; and, indeed, it seems generally to have prevailed, if we judge from the vast number of aquatic animals, that are found in this hemisphere, but which for a time were buried under the fables of a complex mythology.

So, then, the heroic raven was by the ancients more highly appreciated than the tender dove?

I did not say so; neither did I say, it had not a place on the celestial sphere, but Columba Noachi is not the place.

Tell me, where I may find it, mamma, for I really do not know.

* Vide Frontispiece.

I have just mentioned to you, and that is all I have done, that formerly the Pleiades were a distinct constellation. The word Pleiades is another term for doves. The season, anciently considered most favourable for setting sail, was the heliacal rising of these stars; and it is believed that at the time of their appearance, the Argonauts set out on their expedition. Nothing, therefore, could be a greater compliment to the faithful dove, than its elevation to this beautiful, delicate, and fortunate assemblage of stars. Thus, without the addition of the more modern constellation, called Columba Noachi, both the dove, and the raven of Noah, have, from an immemorial period, had interesting places among the constellations.

Why was the Crater placed on the back of Hydra, as well as the Raven?

That is an inquiry, which has perplexed wiser heads than yours. The only natural solution of the difficulty is, to admit that it is the hallowed vase, whence the patriarch Noah, the first planter of vineyards, poured libations of wine to that God, who deigned to smell "a sweet savour."

May I inquire, what gloss the Grecians have thrown about these simple facts? What do they say of Corvus ?

That it is the crow into which Apollo metamorphosed himself, when he escaped the monstrous giant Typhceus.