THE ATLANTIC OCEAN. 193 
nearly the same right ascension, they assume a per- 
pendicular position when upon the meridian; and 
hence afford an accurate mode of measuring time; 
THE SouTHern Cross. 
as the hour of southing at the different seasons, vary- 
ing four minutes every night, is well known to the 
inhabitants of the southern hemisphere. It is very 
common to hear the peasants observe one to another, 
“Tt is after midnight’ (or some other hour); “the 
Cross begins to fall!” 
Alone, in the: midst of the ocean, called to nightly 
watchings upon the deck, the mariner naturally 
becomes familiar with the glowing orbs which are 
revealed by the surrounding darkness; and if he 
be a Christian, his thoughts are led out, as he lifts 
13 R 
