and Lesser Bears. They are familiar to husbandmen; and many a wayfaring man, passing over lonely wilds, or voyager far off at sea, has been saved from inevitable destruction by observing them.

Now, if a straight line is drawn from the head of the Great Bear, crossing the meridian, and inclining a little to the northeast, it will touch the brilliant constellation of Cassiopea, a remarkable group, containing, among lesser ones, five stars, arranged early as follows.

Surely that fair lady, riding high in air, seems as a centre of attraction to many others! Matron like, she hath her family clustering round her, or near at hand. Methinks she might typify the virtuous woman whom King Solomon so much commends for her diligence and wisdom; whose husband trusted in her, knowing that by her skill his household would be clothed in scarlet, and himself pre-eminently attired when sitting in the gates of his native city, among the elders of the land.

Alas for thee, "starred Ethiop's queen!" although the daughter of "bright-haired Vesta," no such meed of praise pertaineth to thy name. Thy husband and thy daughter could not rise up and call thee blessed;" but those who look upon thee in thy nightly progress, whether above myrtle groves, or over snow-clad hills, may derive from thee a lesson of eternal import.

Near Cassiopea is stationed Perseus, with Medusa's Head; Andromeda, the daughter of Cassiopea, gleams on the horizon at ten at night; Cepheus, her father, has risen considerably higher; the Swan, with a bright star in the foot of Pegasus, may be seen when the earth is free from vapours; westward appear the Pleiades, Fly, and Triangle, verging on the Zodiac. This glorious belt of constellations nightly reveals the signs of Pisces, Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, with the head and shoulders of Virgo.

The Lyre, Dragon, and Corona Sept, are obvious in the vicinity of the Great Bear and Pole-star. Bootes, also, a northern constellation, is fully developed; and close

at hand is Coma Berenice; next, and near to the meridian, Leo Minor may be dimly discerned; the Lyra appears on that line, somewhat higher up; and close to Perseus is the Cameleopard.

Beneath the Zodiac, extending from west to east, the Whale, Orion, Canis Minor and Major, Monoceros and Hydra are already stationed; southward is the ship Argo; and on the eastern horizon the Centaur has just risen.

Such is the brief mention of constellations that are now visible in the immensity of space. Concerning these, as months pass on, we purpose speaking much at large; noting, also, such celestial phenomena as pertain to this portion of our subject.

Meanwhile, it is most desirable that our readers should become acquainted with historic facts connected with astronomy. Earth has her records of old time, memorial trees and ruins, which men jonrney far to visit, reckless of fatigue or peril; and happy is the traveller, who may unearth some fragment, or old coin, that has lain hid for ages! The heavens, likewise, exhibit records of what has been. Those who first sought to give names to the most obvious groups inscribed upon their titles either the history of such events as they desired to perpetuate, or the names of the terrestrial objects that surrounded them, or marked successive periods for works of husbandry, or memorialized illustrious characters to whom their country had given birth.

Most authors fix the origin of astronomy either in Chaldea, or in Egypt. Those regions were especially adapted for observing the movements of heavenly bodies, on account of their extended flatness, and the clearness of the atmosphere; and both equally laid claim to producing the first cultivators of this important science. The Chaldeans boasted of their temple, or tower, of Belus, from whose lofty summit they gazed upon the stars; and of Zoroaster, whom they placed before the Trojan war, and whom they extolled for his deep and acute researches into philosophy and the study of astronomy; the Babylonians boasted in like manner concerning their colleges of priests, where the science was fully taught, and of the golden circle of Osymandyas, divided into three hundred and sixty-five parts, according to the days of the year.

The beauty and glory of the stars, designed as setters forth of blessings in store for man, and as proofs also of unerring wisdom, became obscured as years passed on;

and when star-worship was instituted, the Chaldean and Babylonian priests, whose nightly studies gave them a minute acquaintance with the movements and classifications of the celestial lights, obtained, by this means, a great ascendancy over the minds of their votaries. They could foretell precisely the moment when each star, or constellation, would appear on the horizon; and, calling it by some appropriate name, they professed to render it subservient to their assumed power. By these and other perversions of the knowledge which they actually possessed, they acquired an amazing political influence; and the fame of Babylon and Egypt, of their diviners and astrologers, went forth into all nations.

From Chaldea and Egypt the science of astronomy passed into Phoenicia; her people applied the knowledge they obtained of the heavenly bodies to purposes of navigation, steering their course by the Pole-star; and becoming, in consequence, masters of the seas, they traded to regions comparatively remote; and hence we find in their starry archives, references to events connected with their history and

commerce.

The Greeks, most probably, derived their astronomical science chiefly from the Egyptians and Phoenicians, in consequence of their scholars resorting to those countries in pursuit of learning. Newton conjectures that the division of the stars into constellations was made about the time of the Argonautic expedition, when, as poets tell, Jason and his fifty-four companions voyaged in the ship Argo, in order to recover a golden fleece: it is, however, more probable that such division belonged to a much earlier period, and originated before the flood. Josephus ascribes to Seth and his posterity a considerable knowledge of astronomy, and speaks of the two pillars, one of brick, the other of stone, called by his name, on which were inscribed the principles of the science. Be this as it may, it is clearly evident that the great length of antediluvian life would afford excellent opportunities for observing the luminaries of heaven, and we cannot but suppose that the science of astronomy was considerably advanced in their time.

With regard to times comparatively modern, yet previous to the expedition of Jason, several constellations are mentioned by Hesiod-that celebrated votary of the Muses, cotemporary with Homer, who first wrote a poem on agriculture, and whose instructions to cultivators of the field contain reflections worthy of Socrates and

Plato.

Homer also refers to different groups and stars, an clothed many a thought respecting them with his wonted sublimity. In after years, Aratus, a Greek poet of Celicia, wrote-by the desire of Antigonus Gonatus, king of Macedonia, at whose court he passed much of his lifea poem on astronomy, which, embodying the information derived from past ages with such as pertained to his own time, comprised the relative position, the rising and setting, and the number and motion of such stars as were then divided into groups. The first showed how every constellation is stationed with reference to its neighbour; what position it held as regarded the supposed construction of the sphere; and in what companionship it rose or set. This calendar of stars, though necessarily incomplete, sufficed for the use of sailors and purposes of husbandry; while the elegant and highly-finished verses in which it was composed, caused the poem to be translated by Cicero and Caesar Germanicus; paraphrased by Avienus, a poet in the reign of the Roman Emperor Theodosius; and illustrated by about fifty commentators. Aratus was cited by St. Paul, when, in the midst of Mar's Hill, he adverted to the superstitions of the men whom he addressed; bidding them to remember that "the Diety dwelt not in temples made with hands; for in him we live, and move, and have our being, as certain also of your own poets have said." Acts xvii. 28.

Hipparchus himself-a luminary of the first magnitude-mathematician and astronomer of Nicea, who flourished about fiftytwo years after Aratus, added greatly to astronomic science. He divided the heavens into forty-nine constellations, and gave names to all the stars. He first conjectured that the interval between the vernal and autumnal equinox is one hundred and eighty-six days-seven days longer than between the autumnal and the vernal-and that it was occasioned by the eccentricity of the earth's orbit. Having also one day viewed from different situations an isolated tree, growing on a wide plain, and observed the seeming change in its appearance, he was led to consider that a similar variation might be perceptible among the constellations, according to the point of view from which they were contemplated. The same astronomer likewise determined both longitude and latitude, and fixed the first degree of the former at the Canaries.

Since then, men of great abilities have arisen, and wonderful discoveries have been made with regard to astronomy in general;

but to those concerning whom we speak the meed of unqualified admiration must be awarded: they led the way as pioneers along a path which few had trodden, and made discoveries worthy of all praise.

We now recur to the signs of the Zodiac, which poets and star-gazers have equally admired. In past ages, poets were the first to confer significant names upon those bright luminaries that nightly passed through the heavens; and it seems as if the sons of song watched also with unwearied interest these beauteous signs, that follow one the other in a circling dance; indicating, as they rise, eras of husbandry, with the coming back of punctual birds, and the opening of bright flowers.

The name of Zodiac is derived from a Greek word, signifying animal; because, with the exception only of the Water-carrier and Twins, neither birds nor flowers, nor yet symbolic figures, have found a place among them. To borrow the language of inspiration, "it encircles the heavens with a glorious show;" the ecliptic cuts it as it were in two, and astronomers, availing themselves of these important divisions, more readily point out the relative positions of all stars. With reference to the Zodiac, the inner circle, which contains the Polestar, exhibits by far the most brilliant and numerous constellations.

Aquarius, or the Water-carrier, belongs to the present month. No transmitted light, beaming from past ages, gives us reason to suppose that the name assigned to this constellation symbolizes any benefactor to mankind. It is rather believed to have reference to the showery character of the month, in whatever country the name was first given. Job speaks concerning waterurns of the firmament, with reference to clouds, and this elegant appellation is uniformly given them throughout the East.

The sun enters the sign of Aquarius on the 20th of January, at 2h.8m. post meridian. The moon passes from the constellation Sagittarius into Capricornus on the 3rdon the 5th into Aquarius-on the 7th into Pisces on the 10th into Cetus-on the 11th into Aries-on the 12th into Taurus

-on the 15th into Gemini-on the 17th into Cancer-on the 18th into Leo-on the 21st into Virgo on the 24th into Libraon the 25th into Scorpio-on the 28th into Ophiuchus-on the 29th into Sagittariuson the 31st into Capricornus.

There is an eclipse of the moon on the 17th, commencing at 40m. after 3 in the afternoon-middle of the eclipse 10m. to 5, ending at 6 o'clock.

Mercury is in the constellation Capricornus till the 24th; the day following he enters Sagittarius.

Venus is in the constellation Ophiuchus throughout the month, as a morning star. Mars is in the constellation Sagittarius during the month.

Jupiter is in the constellation Virgo till the end of the month, as a morning star. New Moon, 1st of January 2d. 10h. 44m. A. M. First Quarter 10d. 4h. 21m. P. M. Full Moon 17d. 4h. 42m. A. M. Last Quarter 24d. 8h. 17m. A. M.

from the earth

Apogee, or greatest distance Perigee, or nearest distance

from the earth

6d. 4h. Om. A. M.

..18d. 2h. Om. P. M.

A SISTER'S PORTRAIT.

THE following beautiful passage is from Dr. Arnold's letter to Archbishop Whately, dated Sept. 6, 1832, and relates to his sister, "Susannah Arnold, who died at Saleham, Aug. 20, 1832, after a complaint in the spine of twenty years' duration:"-"I must conclude with a more delightful subject, my most dear and blessed sister. I never saw a more perfect instance of the spirit' of power and of love and of a sound mind;' intense love, almost to the annihilation of selfishness -a daily martyrdom for twenty years, during which she adhered to her early-formed resolution of never talking about herself; thoughtful about the very pins and ribands of my wife's dress, about the making of a doll's cap for a child-but of herself, save only as regarded her ripening in all goodness, wholly thoughtless; enjoying everything lovely, graceful, beautiful, high-minded, whether in God's works or man's, with the keenest relish; inheriting the earth to the very fulness of the promise, though never leaving her crib, nor changing her posture; and preserved through the very valley of the shadow of death, from all fear, or impatience, or from every cloud of impaire reason, which might mar the beauty of Christ's Spirit's glorious work. May God grant that I might come but within one hundred degrees of her place in glory."

NOTES AND QUERIES FOR

NATURALISTS.

NOTES.

THE WOODCOCK (Scolopax rusticola). The woodcock is one of the most pleasing of our winter visitants, whether we regard it in its colours, its habits, its migrations, or as a luxury for the table. It arrives in our country about the middle of October, and is supposed to spend the summer in the task of incubation in the high mountain ranges of France, Switzerland, Italy, and Greece. There is, however, considerable doubt as to the countries where it passes the summer. One interesting fact has recently come to light, that the woodcock is a resident in this kingdom, and that with proper care it might soon become far more numerous as a permanent resident than it is at present. It was not till about thirty years since that the discovery was made of the woodcock Occasionally breeding in this country; but from that time till the present the interesting fact has been frequently observed; and within the past year or two it has been found that, in a single domain in Ireland, the number of nests has been successively increased from year to year. The female during the period of incubation is exceedingly tame, allowing herself to be stroked by the hand without quitting the nest. The woodcock observes a singular precision in its migrations; so regular indeed are these movements, that it is said the fishermen at the Land's End know the

very day when the birds will arrive. A curious anecdote is told in connection with this fact. A gentleman being anxious to obtain some of these birds, wrote to his correspondent in Cornwall to furnish him with a certain number. The correspondent wrote back that no birds had yet arrived, but that he had consulted the fishermen, who told him that if the wind remained in a favourable quarter, he might expect to receive them on a certain day. The day came, and with it the woodcocks, the birds having arrived during the period prognosticated. There is no difficulty in furnishing a clue to this apparent mystery. The mountain ranges inhabited by these birds are visited about the latter end of September with all the rigours of winter. The birds, however, not being remarkably vigorous on the wing, are slow to quit their favourite breeding places, and accordingly linger in the warm glens of the mountains till a favourable wind arises: with this, and taking advantage also of moonlight nights (the woodcock being an almost nocturnal feeder), the birds attempt the journey, and hence, whenever the first favourable wind occurs in October, near the full of the moon, the birds may be expected to arrive on our shores. When they reach the coasts of England, they are so much fatigued that they remain for a day or two comparatively powerless of action. At this time numbers of them are captured on the coast with dogs, guns, nets, and even with the hand alone. A day or two, however, suffices to re-invigorate them, and they then quit the shores for the wooded copses and brakes, to return no more till in March they commence their vernal migrations. The bill of the woodcock is beautifully adapted to its economy, being pro. vided with a soft sentient point, by which, when thrust in the mud, it comes in contact with any substance, immediate notice is given to the bird. Its nest is made on the ground, generally under a thick root, and is very simple in its construction. The number of eggs deposited is usually four or five, and the female is very assiduous in her attentions to her young progeny. The plumage of the woodcock is too well known to need description, and, indeed, to describe it would be difficult, if not impossible, the hues and markings of the bird being so manifold and varied.

THE UNINVITED GUEST.

The following story is from Constantine, in Algeria:-When the vast plains near Jemmapes were converted, by accident, into a lake of fire, a magnificent lion, not knowing where to spend the night, directed his course towards a donar, into which he flung himself, making the horses, mules, bullocks, sheep, and other animals there collected