had received, is: "That of a labouring man, a man doomed to labour: his name is unknown: the cause of his task is unknown, he is in an attitude of supplication, kneeling on his right knee, hence his title Engonasin, [ἐν γόνασιν] Geniculator: his left foot treads on the dragon's head: he is naked, and bears on one arm the skin of a beast." That this figure represents our first parent, as described in the third chapter of Genesis, no one can doubt. How his name was lost is very evident: אדם, "Adam," in the original language is not only specially the name of our first parent, but signifies generally "a man." Hence in another language it might be rendered, "a man;" and "Adam doomed to labour," would become, "a man doomed to labour," or "a labouring man," The name of the next figure, translated from that which he bore on the Babylonian sphere into Greek, is, "᾿Οφιοῦχος," Ophiuchus," Serpentarius;" "qui tenet serpentem," "the man who holds or restrains the serpent." Here then follows close upon Adam the promised seed, that is, Seth, who in the early period of the human race was considered to be the promised seed[1]. In like manner the traces of other antediluvians may be found north of the equator. South of it we have Argo, the hinder part of the Ark, as it might be seen at that time on mount Ararat: the raven[2] resting on the Hydra,
- ↑ Vid. Gen. iv. 25. "She bare a son, and called his name Seth: For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew."
- ↑ All the fables respecting this bird relate to his having been sent by Apollo to fetch water, not returning in proper time, and
