Argo NAVIS, the Ship.—­A constellation near to the Canis Major, and the name of the ship which carried Jason and his fifty-four companions to Colchis in quest of the golden fleece, and was said to have been translated into the heavens.

Canopus.—­The name formerly given to a 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.