PART I. THE SOLAR SYSTEM. CHAPTER I. THE PRIMARY PLANETS. 22. The Solar System derives its name from the Latin term sol, the sun. It signifies, therefore, the System of the Sun. It includes that great luminary, and all the planets and comets that revolve around him. 23. The Sun is the center of the system, around which all the solar bodies revolve, and from which they receive their light and heat. 24. The Planets are those spherical bodies or worlds that revolve statedly around the sun, and receive their light and heat from him. The term planet signifies a wanderer, and was applied to the solar bodies because they seemed to move or wander about among the stars. The Orbit of a planet is the path it pursues in its revolution around the sun. 25. The planets are divided into Primary and Secon dary planets. The Primary Planets are those larger bodies of the system that revolve around the sun only, as their center of motion. The Secondary Planets are a smaller class of bodies, 22. Of what does Part II. treat? What meant by the Solar System? Includes what? 23. What is the sun? 24. Describe the planets. 25. How planets divided? daries?) that revolve not only around the sun, but also around the primary planets, as their attendants, or moons. The secondary planets are also called Moons or Satellites. A satellite is a follower of attendant upon another. In this cut, the sun may be seen in the center. The white circles are the Orbits of the primary planets. The planets may be seen in those orbits at various distances from the sun. The numerous orbits so close together are those of the Asteroids. The Scondary planets may be seen near their respective primaries, revolving around them, while they all go on together around the sun. On the right is seen a Comet plunging into the system, with his long and fiery train. His orbit is seen to be very elliptical. All these bodies are opake, the sun excepted. Even the blazing comet shines only by reflection. 26. The planets are again divided into Interior and Exterior planets. The Interior Planets are those whose orbits lie within the orbit of the earth, or between it and the sun. 26. What meant by interior and exterior planets? (Why not inferior and superior ?) The Exterior Planets are those whose orbits lie with out the orbit of the earth. Some Astronomers speak of these two classes respectively as Inferior and Superior. The reason seems to be, that as those nearer the sun than the earth are lower than she is that is, nearer the great center of the system-they are, in this respect, inferior to her; while, on the other hand, those that are above, or beyond her, are her superiors, But as the distinction is founded upon, and is intended to denote, the position of the planets with respect to the earth's orbit, it is obvious that interior and exterior are the more appropriate terms. It seems hardly allowable to call the Asteroids superior plan. ets. and Mercury and Venus, which are inuch larger, inferior. 27. Comets are a singular class of objects, belonging to the solar system, distinguished for their long trains of light, their various shapes, and the great eccentricity of their orbits. End 808 mon. Revies for NUMBER AND NAMES OF THE PRIMARY PLANETS. 28. The principal Primary Planets are Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Five of these, including the Earth, were known to the ancients; but Uranus and Neptune have both been discovered during the last hundred years. Besides the eight larger planets, there are now known to exist eighty-five small planets, called Asteroids, all revolving between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. Four of these, namely, Ceres, Pallas, Juno, and Vesta, have been known to exist since 1807. The remaining eighty-one have all been discovered since 1845, and most of them between 1852 and 1865. (For a complete list of the Asteroids, see page 247.) The term Asteroid signifies star-like, and is applied to these small planets because of their comparative minuteness. They are never seen except through telescopes, and through ordinary instruments are not always readily distinguished from the fixed stars. 29. The Primary Planets are denoted in astronomical works by certain signs or symbols; and as their names are derived from Mythology, their symbols usually relate to the imaginary divinities after whom they are named. 27. What are comets? How distinguished? 28. Number of the principal planets? How long known? What other planets? How long known? What said of their discovery? Meaning of the term Asteroid? 20. How are the planets designated in astronomical works! (Describe the preceding cut. Where the sun? Primaries? Secondaries? Asteroids? Orbits? Comet and orbit? Which self-luminous, and which opake.) 1. In the preceding cut, the planets are placed at their respective distances from the sun, as nearly as can be represented in so small a drawing. The orbits of the asteroids are represented by a few white circles only, located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. 2. The mythological history and symbols of a few of the planets will now be given as samples of the whole, many of the asteroids not having any sigus attached to their names as yet in astronomical works. MYTHOLOGICAL HISTORY AND SYMBOLS. X 30. MERCURY was the messenger of the ROD OF MERCURY gods, and the patron of thieves and dishonest persons. His symbol denotes his caduceus, or rod, with serpents twined around it (*).* 1. Mercury was represented as very eloquent, and skillful in interpreting and explaining-as the god of rhetoricians and orators. Hence, when Paul and Barnabas visited Lystra, addressed the people, and wrought a miracle, they said, "The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men. And they called Barnabas Jupiter, and Paul Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker." 2. "The caduceus of Mercury was a sort of wand or scepter, borne by Mercury as an ensign of quality and office. On medals, it is a symbol of good conduct, peace, and prosperity. The rod represents power; the serpents, wisdom; and the two wings, diligence and activity."-ENCYCLOPEDIA. MIRROR OF VENUS. 8. The original form of this sign may be understood by the preceding cut, to which the present astronomical symbol () bears but a slight resemblance. X 31. VENUS was the goddess of love and beauty, and her sign is an ancient mirror or looking-glass (), which she is represented as carrying in her hand. Anciently, mirrors were made of brass or silver, highly polished, so as to reflect the image of whatever was brought before them. Hence it is said in the Book of Exodus, written fifteen centuries before Christ, that Moses "made the laver of brass, and the foot of it of brass, of the looking-glasses of the women," &c. For convenience, the ancient mirrors had a handle attached, as represented in the cut, which very much resembles the sign of the planet. 32. THE EARTH (called by the Greeks Ge, and by the Latins Terra) has two sym bols-one representing a sphere and its equator (e), and the other () the four quarters of the globe. All these symbols should be drawn in rotation upon the Blackboard, during recita tion, by the Teacher, or some member of the class. It will be well, therefore, for the student to observe each sign carefully, that he may he prepared to draw and explain it, if called upon. 80. Who was Mercury, in Mythology, and what does his symbol denote (How was he represented? What Scriptural allusion? Describe his cadu The meaning of its parts?) ccus. X 33. MARS was the god of war, and his sign (*) represents an ancient shield or buckler, crossed by a spear. Gunpowder was not known to the ancients, consequently they had no pistols, muskets, or cannon. They fought with short swords and spears, and defended themselves with the shield, carried on the left arm. A shield and spear were, therefore, very appropriate emblems of war. The original form of the sign of Mars is presented in the cut. queen of all the 34. FLORA was the " flowers," and her symbol (x) is a flower, the "Rose of England.” SPEAR AND SHIELD 35. CLIO was one of the Muses. Her sign () is a star, with a sprig of laurel over it. 36. VESTA was the goddess of fire, and her sign (1) is an altar, with a fire blazing upon it. 37. IRIS was the beautiful waiting-maid of Juno, the queen of heaven. Her symbol () is composed of a semicircle, representing the rainbow, with an interior star, and a base line for the horizon. "As an attendant upon Juno," says Prof. Hind, "the name was not inappropriate at the time of discovery, when Juno was traversing the 18th hour of right ascension, and was followed by Iris in the 19th." 38. METIS was the first wife of Jupiter, and the goddess of prudence and sagacity. Her symbol () is an eye (denoting wisdom) and a star. 39. HEBE presided over children and youth, and was cup-bearer to Jupiter. Her sign (8) is a cup. Hebe was celebrated for her beauty, but happening one day to stumble and spill the nectar, as she was serving Jupiter, she was turned into an hostler, and doomed to harness and drive the peacocks of the queen of heaven. 40. PARTHENOPE was one of the three Syrens-a sea nymph of rare beauty. They were all admirable singers; hence a lyre () is her appropriate sign. 1. The three Syrens-Parthenope, Ligeia, and Leucosia-were represented as dwell. 81. Venus and symbol? (Ancient mirrors? Scripture allusion?) 32. The Earth-anc-nt name and symbols? 83. Mars and symbol? (Ancient mode of warfare?) 84. Flora and sign? 85. Clio and symbol? 86. Vesta and her symbol? 87. Iris and her sign? (Prof. Hind's remark?) 88. Metis and her sign? 89. Hebe and her sign? 40. Parthenope and sign priateness of the name?) (Incident mentioned in note?) (What said of the Syrens! Of the appro |