[Sidenote: Constellations within the Zodiac.]
The constellations within the _Zodiac_ are, 1. _Aries_, the _Ram_; 2. _Taurus_, the _Bull_; 3. _Gemini_, the _Twins_; 4. _Cancer_, the _Crab_; 5. _Leo_, the _Lion_; 6. _Virgo_, the _Virgin_; 7. _Libra_, the _Balance_; 8. _Scorpio_, the _Scorpion_; 9. _Sagittarius_, the _Archer_; 10. _Capricornus_, the _Goat_; 11. _Aquarius_, the _Water-Bearer_; and, 12. _Pisces_, the _Fishes_.
The constellations on the North side of the _Zodiac_ are Twenty-one, _viz._ the _Little Bear_; the _Great Bear_; the _Dragon_; _Cepheus_, a king of _Ethiopia_; _Bootes_, the keeper of the _Bear_; the _Northern Crown_; _Hercules_ with his Club, watching the _Dragon_; the _Harp_; the _Swan_; _Cassiopeia_; _Persius_; _Andromeda_; the _Triangle_; _Auriga_; _Pegasus_, or the _Flying Horse_; _Equuleus_; the _Dolphin_; the _Arrow_; the _Eagle_; _Serpentarius_; and the _Serpent_.
The constellations noted by the ancients on the South side of the _Zodiac_, were fifteen, _viz._ the _Whale_; the river _Eridanus_; the _Hare_; _Orion_; the _Great Dog_; _Little Dog_; the Ship _Argo_; _Hydra_; the _Centaur_; the _Cup_; the _Crow_; the _Wolf_; the _Altar_; the _Southern Crown_; and the _Southern Fish_. To these have been lately added the following, _viz._ The _Phœnix_; the _Crane_; the _Peacock_; the _Indian_; the _Bird of Paradise_; the _Southern Triangle_; the _Fly_; _Cameleon_; the _Flying Fish_; _Toucan_, or the _American Goose_; the _Water Serpent_, and the _Sword Fish_. The ancients placed those particular constellations or figures in the Heavens, either to commemorate the deeds of some great man, or some notable exploit or action; or else took them from the fables of their religion, _&c_. And the modern astronomers do still retain them, to avoid the confusion that would arise by making new ones, when they compare the modern observations with the old ones.
Some of the principal Stars have particular names given them, as _Syrius_, _Arcturus_, _&c._ There are also several Stars that are not reduced into constellations, and these are called _Unformed Stars_.
[Sidenote: The _Galaxy_, or _Milky Way_.]
Besides the Stars visible to the naked eye, there is a very remarkable space in the Heavens, called the _Galaxy_, or _Milky Way_. This is a broad circle of a whitish hue, like milk, going quite round the whole Heavens, and consisting of an infinite number of small Stars, visible thro’ a telescope, tho’ not discernable by the naked eye, by reason of their exceeding faintness; yet with their light they combine to illustrate that part of the Heavens where they are, and to cause that shining whiteness.