Jump to content

Page:The Music of the Spheres.djvu/93

From Wikisource
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
THE STORY OF ANDROMEDA IN STARS
 

and Andromeda probably trembles as he draws her near Cetus, head downward through the western sky.


The Winged Horse flies head downward in the west.

"The head of Andromeda is setting and against her is brought by the Misty South the mighty terror, Cetus, but over in the North Cepheus with his mighty hand upraised warns him back."

Aratus.

By the first of the year the starry "Square" of the beautiful Pegasus has entirely disappeared. Andromeda and Perseus soon follow but Cassiopeia continues around the horizon in the north. Throughout the spring and early summer Pegasus remains in regions below our sight but in September he again appears and flies inverted up the heavens in the east.

Cetus, the Sea-monster

Early poets describe Cetus as a monster armored with heavy scales or as being long-necked and clawed, which brings to mind the sea-reptiles which are known to have inhabited the sea during the Mesozoic Age. Although poets are known for their tendency to exaggerate, this in itself is enough to lend a spicy interest to the legend, for one's thoughts fly back to the world's young days

[79]