Fig. 601.—Virgo.
Virgo is supposed to be outlined by a very rich cluster of stars, and one of the first magnitude. The Virgin is by some supposed to be Astræa, the goddess, but is more likely referable to a girl gleaning, or holding an ear of corn in semblance of the harvest. This constellation contains more than one hundred stars. One of them in the wheat-ear is a particularly brilliant one, and noted for its “solitary splendour,” as no star of large magnitude is near it. The Arabs used to call it the Solitary Simak; Spica Virginis is the modern name.
Fig. 602.—Libra.
Libra, which follows, may either indicate the balance, or scales of justice, of Astræa, or the equal day and night at the autumnal equinox. Virgil mentions Astræa’s balance, and thus we have a classical authority for the very mythological view of the two foregoing constellations. Libra is not very distinct; it contains fifty-one stars, four of which are very bright.
Fig. 603.—Scorpio.
Scorpio, the Scorpion, according to classical writers, encountered Orion, who is also met with in the stellar universe. The scorpion stung Orion because he declared there was no living creature he could not overcome by force. On the other hand, this sign may have some reference to the unhealthy time of year, and the prevalence of disease about the time that Scorpio appeared. A beautiful star of reddish hue and of the first magnitude is prominent amongst the brilliant assembly of the Scorpion’s forty-four stars.
