336 LIGHT SCIENCE FOR LEISURE HOURS. 



tions,* save that one-half of the northernmost fish 

 (of the zodiac pair) lay north of the equator. Thus, 

 if a celestial sphere were constructed with the equator 

 in a horizontal position, the Dragon would be at the 

 summit, Hydra would be extended horizontally along 

 the equator but with his head and neck reared 

 above that circle and Argo, Cetus, Capricornus, 

 Piscis Australis, and Pisces save one-half of the 

 northernmost would lie Mow the equator. It may, 

 also, be mentioned that all the bird-constellations 

 were then, as now, clustered together not far from 

 the equator Cygnus (the farthest from the equator) 

 being ten degrees or so nearer to that circle than at 

 present. 



Now let us turn to the two "shields," and see 

 whether there is any thing in them to connect them 

 with zodiac-temples, or to remind us of the relations 

 exhibited above. To commence with the " Shield of 

 Achilles," the opening lines inform us that there ap- 

 peared 



" The starry lights that heaven's high convex crowned, 

 The Pleiads, Hyads, with the northern team, 

 And great Orion's more refulgent beam." 



And here, in Achilles's shield, the list of constellations 

 closes ; but it is remarkable that in the " Shield of 

 Hercules," while the above lines are wanting, we find 



* We may exclude Delphinus as probably later than Homer's time, 

 though mentioned by Aratus. 



