THE SOUTHER X CROSS. 24^ 



The Southern Cross consists of four stars, and their relative 

 positions, when seen upon the meridian, is indicated by the fol- 

 lowing: » 



Were the upper and lower stars connected by a straight line, 

 and the remaining two also connected by a straight line, the form 

 of the cross would be apparent. When, in looking at the stars, 

 this symbolic form is suggested to the observer, then (as in the 

 case of seeing the face of a man in the moon) the resemblance is 

 ever afterwards so vividly impressed on his mind, that the stars 

 never fail to remind him of the cross whenever he sees them oc- 

 cupying a similar position. When they are not upon the merid- 

 ian the form of the cross is not revealed. 



Nassau being some distance north of the equator, the star gazer 

 from that point can only see the cross when the stars which com- 

 pose it occupy a position near the southern horizon, and he is 

 (jonsequently obliged to look at it througli a large extent of the 

 earth's atmosphere, resting so near to the laud and sea as to be 

 charged with their vapors. He who desires to see at Nassau the 

 Southern Cross, will bo more likely to have his wishes gratified 

 if he makes his observations from some elevated position, where 

 the air is particularly clear and the wind is blowing with some 

 force from the north. 



It was upon a favorable evening in March, 1879, that on going 



