DIVISIONS OP THE ZODIACK. 325 



of the other stars ; and that does not always agree with 

 the position of the most conspicuous star. 



- The number of stars in each asterism, and the figure 

 under which the asterism is represented, are specified 

 by Hindu astronomers : particularly by Sripati in the 

 Roinamdld. These, with the positions- of the stars re- 

 latively to the ecliptick, are exhibited in the annexed 

 table. It contains the whole purport of many obscure 

 and almost enigmatical verses, of which a verbal trans- 

 lation would be nearly as unintelligible to the English 

 reader, as the original text. 



The authorities, on which I have chiefly relied, 

 because they are universally received by Indian astro- 

 nomers, are the Suryasuld'hdnta, Siroiani, and Graha- 

 h'lghava. They have been carefully examined, com- 

 paring at the same time several commentaries. The 

 Ratnamcild of S'ripati is cited for the figures of the 

 asterisms ; and the same passage had been noticed by 

 Sir William Jones (As. Res. vol.2, p. 294). It 

 agrees nearly with the text of Vasish-^^'ha cited by 

 MuNis'wARA, and is confirmed in most instances by 

 the Muhirta Ch'mtdmem. The same authority, con- 

 firmed with rare exceptions by Vasish't'ha, Sa'calya, 

 and the A bharana is quoted for the number of stars in 

 each asterism. The works of Brahmegupta have not 

 been accessible to me : but the Marichi, an excellent 

 commentary on the S'ldcThdnta sironiani, by Munis'- 

 wara, adduces from that author a statement of the 

 positions of the stars; and remarks, that it is founded 

 on the Brahmesidif hdnta^ contained in the VishmuCher-' 

 maftani *. Accordingly, I have found the saoie pias- 



* Another Bruhmcndd'' hcinta is entitled the Sacalyasa7ihita. The 

 9uthor of the Marichl, therei'ore, distinguishes the one to \yhicji he 

 rofefa. 



y .2 



