Page:Star Lore Of All Ages, 1911.pdf/127

Rh Like many other prominent stars Arcturus shared its name with the constellation. Miss Clerke is of the opinion that Arcturus received its name long before the constellation was thought of, forming the nucleus of a subsequently formed group.

Allen states that this star was famous with the seamen of early days even from the traditional period of the Arcadian Evander, and regulated the annual festival by its movements in relation to the sun.

Mrs. Martin thus paints a scene of springtime to which Arcturus lends its lustre: "What more gracious day's progress in beauty could there be than to travel with the eyes from the cheerful hepaticas dotting the soft ground among the trees to the round, white, silent blossoms of the dogwood fringing the late April woods, and thence, when the evening falls, to the bright yet gentle light of Arcturus in the sky, announcing the end of the purple twilight."

The Chinese designated Arcturus "the palace of the Emperors." They also called it "Ta Kiō," meaning the "Great Horn," four small stars near by being "Kang Che," the "Drought Lake."

The Eskimos called Arcturus "Sibwudli," and it is the timepiece of the seal netters during the great night fishing in December and January. The position of this brilliant star as it circles round the Pole enables them to judge how the night is passing.

The Arab name for Arcturus was "Al-símāk-al-Rāmih," meaning "the simak armed with a lance," also translated "the leg of the Lance-Bearer," and "the lofty Lance-Bearer." Gore states that according to the Persian astronomer Al-Sufi, who wrote a description of the heavens in the 10th century, the word simak means "elevated," referring to the high altitude the star attains above the horizon. Schjellerup however, thinks that the word refers to the brilliancy of the star and not to its altitude. The Arabs also knew Arcturus as "the Keeper of Heaven."

In India, Arcturus marked the 13th lunar station, known