was celebrated in May, and commemorated "the genial influence of the spring sun on the waters, in opening navigation, and in restoring life to the creatures of the wave, especially to the dolphins which were highly esteemed by the superstitious seafaring fishermen, merchants, etc."[1]
The star names "Sualocin" and "Rotanev," applied to α and β Delphini, are interesting as presenting a mystery for many years. Webb finally discovered that reversing the spelling gave "Nicolaus Venator," the Latinised name of the assistant to the astronomer Piazzi, who is thus immortalised in starland.
The star γ Delphini is a fine double star for a small telescope, the colours gold and bluish green being in marked contrast, and very beautiful.
ε Delphini was known to the Chinese by the unattractive title "the Rotten Melon," certainly a singular and inappropriate name for any star.
Delphinus, in spite of the fact that it is one of the smallest constellations, is one of the best known, and its popular title, "Job's Coffin," has a wider vogue than the great majority of the constellation names.
- ↑ The star and dolphin combined appear on a coin of the ancient people of Apulia who inhabited Italy before the time of the Romans.
