Page:Star Lore Of All Ages, 1911.pdf/427



to the Precession of the Equinoxes, the constellation of the Fishes is now the Leader of the Celestial Hosts. The vernal equinox, or the point where the sun crosses the equator in the spring, is situated in Pisces and this point is often referred to as "the Greenwich of the Sky." From it the Right Ascension of all the stars is reckoned.

Pisces is usually represented on the star maps by the figures of two fishes a considerable distance apart; around the tail of each is tied a ribbon, and the ends of these bonds are joined together and tied in a knot, which the star "Al-Rischa," or α Piscium, represents.

According to Greek mythology, Venus and her son Cupid were strolling along the banks of the Euphrates River. They were alarmed at the sudden appearance of Typhon, a terrible giant, whose chief occupation seems to have been to frighten people. To escape the monster, Venus and Cupid leaped into the river and assumed the form of two fishes. To commemorate this event Minerva placed two Fishes among the stars.

In accordance with this myth the constellation was popularly known as "Venus and Cupid."

This legend of the escape of Venus and Cupid from the dread Typhon is analogous to the myth concerning the