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 202 LATITUDINARIANS edge of the hour, which the preceding method requires. For then we have in the right-angled spherical triangle which has for its angles^ the star, the pole, and the zenith, two sides known, viz., the polar distance of the star and its zenith distance. The third side, as in the last case, is the co-latitude. This method is more exact in its results if the observation is made with a carefully oriented transit instru- ment, and the star observed during both the eastern and the western passage of the prime vertical. 6. In Sumner's method, the altitude of a star is observed twice, a known interval of time separating the two observations. 7. The altitude of a star may be determined by observing the meridian altitude of the sun, the polar distance of the sun at the epoch of ob- servation being known from the ephemeris for the year. II. In astronomy, the distance of a heavenly body from the ecliptic, measured by the arc of a great circle perpendicular to the latter, intercepted between the ecliptic and the body. The heliocentric latitude of a planet is its distance from the ecliptic, such as it would appear from the sun. LATITUDINARIANS, the name given specially to certain theologians of the Anglican church, in the latter part of the 17th century, who were generally low churchmen of Arminian principles, aiming to give a philosophical tone to theological discussions, and admitting a greater latitude of doctrine than was allowed either by the Presbyterians and Independents or by the stricter Episcopalians. Most of them were connected with the university of Cam- bridge. Among the more distinguished of them were Henry More, Oudworth, Chilling- worth, Hales, Wilkins, Gale, and Tillotson. See the "Principles and Practices of certain Modern Divines of the Church of England, abusively called Latitudinarians, truly Repre- sented and Defended by Way of Dialogue," by Fowler, bishop of Gloucester (London, 1670). LATIOI, one of the principal divisions of ancient Italy. The name is variously derived from Latinus, who more probably owed his to that of the region ; from latere, to be hidden ; from latus, broad, &c. ; but hardly any of the derivations are satisfactory. The boundaries of Latium varied in different periods of Roman history. In the earliest times the name desig- nated a small tract of land S. of the Tiber, in- habited by the Latins ; it subsequently extend- ed as far S. as the promontory of Circeii and Anxur or Terracina; and in its latest and widest acceptation it included the lower valley of the Liris, and embraced all the land between the Tiber, the territories of the Sabines and Samnites, Campania, and the Tyrrhenian sea. Pliny calls the southernmost part Latium Adjectum, in contradistinction to Latium An- tiquum. The greater part of the whole terri- tory is an undulating plain, gradually rising from the seashore to the Apennines, with an isolated range of mountains, Mt. Albanus, of which Mt. Algidus and the Tusculan hills are LATOUR branches. A part of the coast land between Antium and Terracina was gradually converted into the Pontine marshes by the waters of various streams which found no outlet; all other parts of Latium were renowned for fertility. In the vicinity of Campania some of the choicest wines of Italy were produced. Among the towns of Latium conspicuous in the history of Rome we find, besides the eternal city itself, Alba Longa, Lavinium, Antium, Corioli, Ardea, and Tusculum. The most an- cient inhabitants of Latium, the Siculi, were expelled by a people of Pelasgic descent, who there became known as Latins, or Prisci Latini, in contradistinction to the later Latin subjects of Rome. They formed a league of 30 cities, of which Alba was subsequently the head. Alba succumbed to Rome, one of its colonies, under Tullus Hostilius, and other Latin towns soon after. Rome entered the league under its sixth king, and became its head under the next and last. On the fall of the Tar quins the Latins regained their indepen- dence, and struggled long against the republic to maintain it ; but it was finally overthrown by the great victory of the Romans near Mt. Vesuvius (340 B. C.). Several of their towns received the Roman franchise, and others were converted into allied towns, under the general name of Nomen Latinum. During their inde- pendence, the Latin towns, mostly built on the top of steep and fortified hills, were governed by dictators elected annually, senates, and pop- ular assemblies. Their common meetings, in which federal questions were discussed, were held in a sacred grove at the foot of Mt. Alba- nus, on the top of which stood a temple of Ju- piter Latiaris. An ancient festival in honor of that divinity was adopted by the Romans, retaining its name of Ferice Latina. LATONA (Gr. A^rw), in Grecian mythology, a daughter of the Titan Cosnus and Phoebe, and mother of Apollo and Diana by Jupiter, to whom she was married before he wedded Juno. It is only by later writers that she is described not as the wife but concubine of Jupiter. According to the fable, Latona, when pregnant, and persecuted by the jealous Juno, could find no rest, the earth being afraid to receive her, while she was constantly pursued by the serpent Pytho. Finally she came to the floating isle of Delos, which gave her ref- uge, or which, as some accounts state, was created for her after all other parts of the earth had been cursed should they afford her rest. Symbolically Latona seems to have sig- nified the primitive darkness whence sprung Apollo, or the light. She was worshipped only in connection with her children. LATOUR, Antoine Tenant de, a French author, born at St. Yrieix in 1808. He studied at Dijon, and at the normal school in Paris, under Michelet, and subsequently became professor in various colleges and a preceptor of the duke of Montpensier, in whose service he remained in exile, as secretary, after the revolution of