COLUMBIA--_Noah's Dove._--Continuing a straight line from the Hare 16° south, it comes to Phaet, a star of the second magnitude, in the Dove. This star is also on the meridian at the same time with that in the belt of Orion, and with Sirius and Naos makes an equilateral triangle. This constellation is so called in commemoration of the dove Noah sent out "to see if the waters were abated from off the face of the ground," after the ark had rested on Ararat. "And the dove came in to him, in the evening, and lo! in her mouth was an olive leaf!" "The sure messenger, A dove went forth once, and again, to spy Green tree or ground whereon his foot may light; The second time returning, in his bill An olive leaf he brings, pacific sign!" * * * * * ERIDANUS.--This constellation is composed of 84 stars, of which one is of the first magnitude, one of the second, and eleven of the third. The others are very minute stars, and the constellation is exceedingly difficult to trace in the heavens. Achernar is a star of great brilliancy and beauty, but it cannot be seen in our latitude, having a southern declination of 58°. West of Rigel are four stars of the fourth magnitude, and five of the fifth, arching up in a semicircular form, marking the first bend of the northern stream, while 19° west of Rigel glitters a bright star of the second magnitude, called Gamma. This star is on the meridian thirteen minutes after the Pleiades. The entire length of Eridanus is 130°, and as the other stars which compose it are very minute, it is not desirable to trace them. The Latin poets have rendered this river (which is in Cisalpine Gaul, and also called Padus, and by moderns, Po) memorable by its connection with the beautiful fable of Phaeton, a favorite of Venus, who intrusted him with the care of one of her temples. Vain of the favor of the goddess, he obtained an oath from his father, Phœbus, that he would grant him any request he should make. The charioteer of the skies had no sooner uttered the oath than "The youth, transported, asks without delay, To guide the Sun's bright chariot for a day; The god repented of the oath he took, For anguish thrice his radiant head he shook; 'My son,' says he, 'some other proof require-- Rash was my promise, rash was thy desire; Not Jove himself, the ruler of the sky, That hurls the three-forked thunder from above, Dares try his strength; yet who as strong as Jove? Besides, consider what impetuous force Turns stars and planets in a different course: I steer against their motions; nor am I Borne back by all the currents of the sky; But how could you resist the orbs that roll In adverse whirls, and stem the rapid pole!'"