Page:Star Lore Of All Ages, 1911.pdf/215

Rh there seem to have been two constellations that represented maiden's tresses, only separated by the constellation Boötes.

This fact of reduplication seems to corrobrate the evidence that there was a deliberate plan exercised in the designing of the constellations, for there were many animals known to the ancients that are not given a place in the stellar menagerie. There must have been some very good and sufficient reason for duplicating so many of the star groups.

The Northern Crown has also borne the following titles: "The Wreath of Flowers," "Diadema Cœli" "Oculus," meaning any celestial luminary, and "Mæra," signifying the "shining one."

The fact that the stars forming the Crown do not form a complete circle has caused it to appear other than crown-like to various peoples. Thus it is said to resemble a Beggar's Dish with a nicked rim, such as is held out by the beggar to receive alms.

The Australian natives called this constellation "womera," our boomerang, the arrangement of the stars suggesting that weapon to their minds.

The Shawnee Indians of our own country called this constellation "the Celestial Sisters," and have an interesting legend respecting it, which is a typical example of the imaginative power possessed alike by the red men of North America, and the far-off nomadic tribes of the ancient world. The legend is as follows: "White Hawk, a mighty hunter, was searching for game. He suddenly found himself on the outskirts of a great prairie, where he perceived a circular path worn through the grass with no path leading to it. While he stood wondering at the strange pathway, he saw descending from the heavens a silver basket containing twelve beautiful maidens. As the basket touched the ground they alighted and began dancing about the ring, beating time on a silver ball. White Hawk endeavoured to capture the most beautiful of the maidens, but they all