THE ATLANTIC OCEAN. 



193 



nearly the same right ascension, they assume a per- 

 pendicular position when upon the meridian; and 



hence afford an accurate mode of measuring time; 



The Southern Cross. 



as the hour of southing at the different seasons, vary- 

 ing four minutes every night, is well known to the 

 inhabitants of the southern hemisphere. It is very 

 common to hear the peasants observe one to another, 

 "It is after midnight" (or some other hour); "the 

 Cross begins to fall!" 



Alone, in the midst of the ocean, called to nightly 

 watchings upon the deck, the mariner naturally 

 becomes familiar with the glowing orbs which are 

 revealed by the surrounding darkness; and if he 

 be a Christian, his thoughts are led out, as he lifts 



13 R 



