THE ATLANTIC OCEAN. 



179 



tlie equator. As tlie two brilliant stars whicli form 

 the top and bottom of the Cross have nearly the 

 same right ascension, they assume a perpendicular 

 position when upon the meridian ; and hence afford 

 an accurate mode of measuring time ; as the hour of 

 southmg at the different seasons, varying four minutes 



THii SOUTHKUM CKOba. 



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!"* 



* Since the above was written I have seen the Southern Crow;. 

 It is a much less splendid constelLition than I had expected, and 

 less symmetrical. Still it is beautiful, and its associations must 

 ever render it a striking object, especially to the strarger who gazes 

 apun it for the first time. 



N 2 



