DIVISIONS OP THE EODIACK. 327 



having found the star, to adjust by it the end of the 

 sign Pisces on the echptick. The observer is then to 

 look, through the sight, at the jogu star of As'-wlni, or 

 of some other proposed object ; and to bring the move- 

 able circle of declination over it. The distance in de- 

 grees, from the intersection of this circle and ecliptick, 

 to tlie end of Mina or Pisces, is its longitude (cChruvaca) 

 in degrees; and the number of degrees on the movea- 

 ble circle of declination, from the same intersection to 

 the place of the star, is its latitude (vicsh^[>cij North or 

 South *. 



The commentators 'j- further remark, that * the la- 

 titude, so found, is (sphut'a) apparent, being the place 

 intercepted between the star and the ecliptick, on a 

 circle passing through the poles ; but the true latitude 

 (asphuta) is found on a circle hung upon the poles of 

 the celestial sphere, as directed in another place.' The 

 longitude, found as above directed, is, in like manner, 

 the space intercepted between the origin of the ecliptick 

 and a circle of declination passing through the star : 

 differing, consequently, from the true longitude. The 

 same commentators add ; that the longitudes and lati- 

 tudes, exhibited in the text, are of the description thus 

 explained : and those, which are stated in the Surya 

 sidcChanla^ are expressly affirmed to be adapted to the 

 time when the equinox did not differ from the origin of 

 the ecliptick in the beginning of McsJui, 



It is obvious, that, if the cemmentators hav« rightly 



• Father Petau, and, after him, Bailly, for reasons stated by 

 them (Uranol. Uissert. 2. 2. Ast. Anc. p. 42ti.), arc of opioiou, 

 that the ancient astronomers referred stars to the Kqiiator ; a, id that 

 EuDoxus and Hipparchus must be so understood, when speaking- 

 of the longitudes of stars. Perhaps the Greek astronoii.ers, hke 

 the Hindus, reckoned longitudes upon the ecliptick interstcted by 

 ^circles of declination, in the manner, which has been explained. 



t ]^uuc'haba ^s the mgst explicit on this point, ' 



Y4 



