ASTRONOMY. 25 



HALLEY, Phil. Trans. N 364. Also VINCE, vol. r. 

 p. 505. 



b. If c be the class reckoned from the first, 13 Xc 2 is 

 nearly the number of stars in that class. 



33. The fixed stars are not scattered over the 

 heavens indiscriminately, but are disposed in 

 groups ; to which, from the most remote anti- 

 quity, names have been given from certain fi- 

 gures of animals, conceived to be connected 

 with them, which are called Constellations. 



a. In the beginning of astronomical science, it was 

 only by such a device as this that men could speak 

 of the stars, or describe them to one another. It 

 is a remain of the ancient picture writing, that 

 preceded alphabetical language. 



b. The number of the ancient constellations was 4-8 ; 

 24 have been added by the moderns, 14 in the 

 southern hemisphere, and 10 composed ont of 

 groups, not included in the ancient arrangement. 

 The stars of each constellation are distinguished 

 by the Greek letters, disposed in reference to their 

 magnitude and position. 



For the method of distinguishing the constellations, 

 see LA LANDE, torn. i. 735., &c. 



34. Many of the stars, which, to the naked 

 eye, or through telescopes of small power, ap- 

 pear 



