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The divisions of this, their solar zodiac, were distinguished 
by names and emblems ; and what is truly remarkable, they 
are the same as those which are connected with the signs 
of our own zodiac." It has been supposed that the Hindoos 
borrowed this from the Arabs; but Mr. Colebrooke has 
observed, " we know that the Hindoos have preserved the 
memory of a former situation of the colures compared to 
constellations, which make divisions of the zodiac in their 
astronomy ; but no similar trace remains of the use of the 
lunar mansions, as divisions of the zodiac, among the 
Arabs in so very remote times.'" 
The above perfect identity of the Hindoo zodiac with 
ours, will appear from the names of their signs. Mesha, 
the ram ; Vrisha, the bull ; Milhuna, the pair ; Carcata, 
the crab ; Sinha, the lion ; Canga, the virgin ; Tula, the 
balance ; Vrishahica, the scorpion ; Dhanus, the bow ; 
Macaru, the sea-monster ; Cumbha, the ewer ; Mina, the 
fish. The zodiac itself they call sodi-mandalam. The 
coincidences here must have had a common source : not 
onlv do the signs nearly correspond with those of the Egyp- 
tian zodiac of the temple of Denderah, but also with those 
known to the Chaldeans. 
The chief object of ancient astronomy for many ages 
was the proper settlement of time ; this the Hindoos 
attained very successfully and without the assistance of 
other nations; though the Chinese, who claim great anti- 
quity of observation, required that of the Arabs in A.D. 
1290, and of the Jesuits in 1664. " There are a great 
variety of eras in use in different parts of India, but all 
may be classified under four general heads, according to 
the mode of expressing, or of subdividing the year; 
namely, first, those which are founded on the sidereal 
division of the months ; secondly, those which follow the 
intricate and peculiar luni-solar computations; thirdly, 
