Star Lore Of All Ages/The Minor Constellations/Lacerta

by William Tyler Olcott

Lacerta
The Lizard

This asterism was designed by Hevelius, and comprises the stars between Cygnus and Andromeda.

The original figure drawn by Hevelius is described as "a strange weasel-built creature with a curly tail."

The Chinese knew the stars in this region of the sky as "the Flying Serpent," and in Royer's chart, published in 1679, these stars formed the star group known as "the Sceptre and Hand of Justice."

Argelander mentions thirty-one stars in this constellation, none brighter than 3.9 magnitude.

Lacerta culminates about the middle of April.