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THE BEAUTY' OF THE HEAVENS.
Scene No. XXXVI. —Ophiccus.
This constellation is situated on the equator; its extent is about thirtydegrees in length, and its width about ten degrees. It has no star of the firstmagnitude ; two of the second ; five of the third; twelve of the fourth magni-tude ; and numerous smaller stars.
Scene No. XXXVII.— Aquila—Antinous.
This constellation, also (for the two figures form but one), is situated onthe equator ; it extends over a space of about twenty-five degrees in length, byabout thirty degrees in breadth. It contains one star of the first magnitude ;none of the second ; ten of the third ; six of the fourth magnitude ; and severalof the fifth and sixth.
Scene No. XXXVIII.— Aries.
'Immediately below the hack of Andromeda, at the distance of about tendegrees, is the constellation Aries, one of the zodiac, and (for reasons whichwill presently be given) the first in order of the twelve signs. Towards thenorth-east, and over the back of Aries, is Musca ; and, directly above this,Triangulum. The figure of Aries is a ram, in a sitting posture, having one footextended forward, the other three drawn up under the body, the head turned,and looking back. Musca, the fly, is represented by that insect in its mostcommon form. Triangulum, the triangle, is simply a small triangular figure,of little breadth.
Scene No. XXXIX.— Taurus.
The constellation, Taurus, is the second in order of the twelve signs of thezodiac : it is one of the most conspicuous in the heavens, and easy to be dis-tinguished. The figure is that of the head, neck, shoulders, and fore-legs of ahorned bull, with a portion of the back: the figure terminates where the hinderparts of Aries begin. The tip of one horn touches the right foot of Auriga ;the foot of Perseus nearly touches the bull’s shoulder. Taurus is brilliantin large stars ; but is chiefly remarkable for two bright clusters, which are ofvery distinct appearance, and are readily found by the naked eye. One ofthese, called the Pleiades , is the cluster vulgarly known as the seven stars ;another is called the Hyades. The first of these is situated in the neck of thebull; the latter in his face.