at either of these points, before it returns again towards the Equator. Cancer is the Summer solstice; and Capricorn the Winter solstice.

N. B. The year, with Astronomers, begins when the Sun enters the first scruple of Aries, the first sign on the Ecliptic; but this beginning of the year cannot be fixed, because the sun enters the vernal equinox about fifty seconds sooner every year than it did the preceding one, and this is called the Precession of the Equinox.

The best Globes are Bardin's New British Globes; and Cary's Globes, a treatise explaining these Globes, with a great variety of new Problems, &c. has lately been published by Mr. Thomas Keith. This work is the most comprehensive of any treatise on the Globes extant.

THE ARMILLARY SPHERE.

The Armillary Sphere, is so called from the Armilla, or wheels, of which it is formed.

It is an artificial sphere, composed of a numbes of circles of metal, wood, or paper, put together so as to represent the Ecliptic, Zodiac, Tropics, and other imaginary circles. in. the heavens, in their natural order.

The earth is situated in the centre of this sphere, in the same plane with the rational horizon,, which horizon is generally represented by a broad silvered circle, divided into degrees, &c.

The whole machinery is supported upon a brass.

stand, and is moveable about an axis, within a brass meridian like the common Globes.

This meridian is likewise moveable within the silvered horizon, so as to admit of the elevation or depression of the Poles.

The use of this sphere is to assist the imagination in conceiving the apparent motion of the celestial bodies. The learner must suppose himself to be placed upon the earth, with the various circles in the heavens revolving round him from east to

west.

SECTION CVII.

ASTRONOMY.

THE Science of Astronomy is so nearly connected with Geography, that some general knowledge of it is necessary; and it is also highly proper that every intelligent mind should have some idea of the situation he holds in the Universe; thereby to contemplate with solemn and awful reflection, on the Power, Wisdom, and Glory of that Infinite Being, who made so many grand Objects, of such magnitude, which roll through space immense, with the utmost regularity.

Astronomy is a knowledge of the visible Heavens, the situation of the fixed stars, the constellations they are in; and the vast distances and magnitudes of the planets, with their annual and diurnal motions, situations; eclipses, comets, &c.

The

The whole starry firmament is generally divided into three parts. 1. The Zodiac, which is a broad circle extending eight degrees on each side of the ecliptic; in this space are situated the 12 signs of the zodiac, (whose names and charaters have already been given at p. 245,) and also the orbits of all the planets.

2. That part of the heavens north of the Zodiac, contains the following constellations*: Ursa Minor, the little Bear; Ursa Major, the Great Bear; Draco, the Dragon; Cepheus; Böotes, the Herdsman; Corona Borealis, the Northern Crown; Hercules; Lyra, the Harp; Cygnus, the Swan; Cassiopeia, the Lady in her Chair; Perseus; Auriga, the Waggoner; Serpentarius, the Serpent Bearer; Serpens, the Serpent; Sagitta, the Arrow; Aquila, the Eagle; Antinous; Delphinus, the Dolphin; Equuleus, the Horse's Head; Pegasus, the Flying Horse; Andromeda; Triangu lum, the Triangle; Camelopardalus, the Camelopard; Leo Minor, the little Lion; Coma Bernices, Bernice's Hair; Vulpecula et Anser, the Fox and Goose; Lacerta, the Lizard; Scutum, the Shield; Asterion et Chara, the Greyhounds; Lynx, Cerberus, &c.

At the extremity of the tail of the little Bear is the Polar Star. Observe also, that the two

* A Constellation, is, the stars in a certain portion of the firmament that lie contiguous, not being separated by another constellation; and is named after some object, which it is fancied to resemble: it is similar to a kingdom on the earth. The constellations were formed at different periods.

bright stars towards the middle of the Great Bear, are called the Pointers, because they always point to the North Polar Star.

3. The regions south of the Zodiac, contain, Cetus, the Whale; Orion; Eridanus, the River; Lepus, the Hare; Canis Major, the great Dog; Canis Minor, the little Dog; Argo, the Ship; Hydra; Crater, the Cup; Corvus, the Crow ; Centaurus, the Centaur; Lupus, the Wolf; Ara, the Altar; Corona Australis, the southern Crown; Piscis Australis, the southern Fish; Columba Noachi, Noah's Dove; Robur Carol, Charles's Oak; Grus, the Crane; Phonix; Indus, the Indian; Pavo, the Peacock; Avis Indica, the Bird of Paradise; Musca, the Fly, or Bee; Cameleon ; Triangulum Australis, the southern Triangle ; Piscis Volans, the Flying Fish; Dorado, the Sword Fish; Toucan, the American Goose; Hydrus, the Water Snake; Sextans, the Sextant; Monoceros, the Unicorn; Crux, the Cross, &c.

Orion is the most beautiful constellation in the heavens, on account of the variety of bright stars in it, and also for that remarkable cloudy star in the middle of the sword.

In the mouth of the Great Dog is that brilliant star called Sirius, which appears the largest of all the fixed stars, being to the eye equal in size to Jupiter; it is supposed to be the nearest to the Earth, yet a magnifying power of 60,000 times has not the least impression on its magnitude, a convincing proof of its vast distance.

These