Page:Star Lore Of All Ages, 1911.pdf/498

372 constellation," and that this same word happens to mean in that language a "bear," and so the name was confounded.

Aratos expressly states that the Greeks still (270 ) continued to steer by "Helice" (Ursa Major), while the expert Phœnicians directed their course by "Cynosura" (Ursa Minor).

Jensen identifies this constellation with "the Leopard" of Babylonia, while on the Nile it was known as "the Dog of Set." The figure of a jackal, which is identified with this constellation, appears on the round zodiac of Denderah. The jackal also appears in the carvings on the walls of the Ramesseum.

Cassius thought that Ursa Minor represented the chariot sent by Joseph to bring his father down into Egypt, or that in which Elijah was carried to heaven, or the bear which David slew.

According to mythology, the Bears were transferred to heaven as a reward for hiding Zeus in Crete from his cannibal father Kronos.

Ursa Minor was also identified with Areas the son of Callisto, transported to the skies as he was about to slay his mother in the guise of a bear.

The two Bears were also fabled to have nursed Zeus on Mt. Ida. Zeus, as a reward for their faithful service, changed them into nymphs and placed them among the stars.

The American Indians had a legend respecting this constellation which is as follows: "A hunting party of Indians lost their way, and being in doubt which way to proceed they prayed to the gods to direct them homeward. During their deliberations a little child appeared in their midst and proclaimed herself to be the spirit of the Pole Star and their guide. Following her they reached home