A hexapla is a collection of the Holy Scriptures in six languages. The term is applied particularly to the combination of six versions published by Origen, containing the Hebrew text with a transcript of it in Greek characters, the Septuagint, and three other versions, those, namely, of Aquila, Symmachus, and Theodotion. It is only extant in fragments. Research Hexapla
Eagle is the name given to several large birds of prey of the sub-family Aquilinoe of the great family Falconidae, which includes the eagles, falcons, and hawks. The eagle is popularly, though erroneously, regarded as the noblest and most courageous of the rapacious birds. In fact, as the eagle swoops down silently on suspecting prey without warning, it is neither noble nor courageous. The eagle soars to a greater height than any other European bird, from which circumstance the ancients considered it as the bird or messenger of Jove.
The genusAquila which includes the most typical eagles, is distinguished by its long and powerful bill, the curve commencing at the cere, by its wings reaching to the tip of the tail, and by its tarsi being feathered to the toes.
The imperial eagle (Aquila imperialis) of Central Europe is probably the species to which the popular belief in the courage, strength, and nobleness of eagles is to be traced. Aquila chrysaetus, the golden eagle, is the chief British species. It measures over 180 cm (6 feet) from tip to tip of the expanded wings, and 240 cm (8 feet) from the beak to the end of the tail. The adults have the body brownish, becoming darker with age; the feathers of the head and neck pointed, and of a golden-red hue. This species is found all over the northern hemisphere. It was once common in the Highlands of Scotland, but started becoming rare in the 19th century. The Kirghis and other tribes of Central Asia use the golden eagle to kill antelopes, foxes, and even wolves.
Another British eagle is the erne or sea-eagle (Haliaetus albicilla) found near the sea-coast or lakes, and feeding largely on fish. The general colour is greyish-brown, the head pale-coloured, the tail white.
The bald eagle (Haliaetus leucocephalus), found in North America and North-east Asia, is the symbol of the United States, though Franklin deplored the selection on account of the bald eagle's mean and dishonest habit of robbing the industrious osprey of the fish it has caught. Like all members of the genus his diet is less restricted than that of the true eagles; and he even takes carrion. Another eagle (Circaetus gallicus), the serpent eagle, Or short-toed eagle, ranges through Southern Europe, Asia, and especially North Africa. In structure and habits this bird approaches the buzzards. Research Eagle
The golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetus), is the chief British species of eagle. It measures over 180 cm (6 feet) from tip to tip of the expanded wings, and 240 cm (8 feet) from the beak to the end of the tail. The adults have the body brownish, becoming darker with age; the feathers of the head and neck pointed, and of a golden-red hue. This species is found all over the northern hemisphere. It was once common in the Highlands of Scotland, but started becoming rare in the 19th century. The Kirghis and other tribes of Central Asia use the golden eagle to kill antelopes, foxes, and even wolves. Research Golden Eagle
The meagre or maigre (Scioena aquila) is a fish of about 1.5 metres length greatly prized by the Roman epicures. It has a short first dorsal fin, elongated dorsal, a deep and oblique cleft of the mouth and a continuous lateral line which extends over the tail-fin. Research Meagre
The spotted eagle (Aquila naevia) is an eagle found in south and east Europe, Egypt and other parts of Africa. The plumage is light or dark brown, brighter towards the tail and thighs. The beak is black and the cere and feet yellow. The spotted eagle is about sixty centimetres in length and feeds on water-fowl, snakes, fish and larger insects as well as occasionally rabbits and hares. Research Spotted Eagle
Apollos was a Jew of Alexandria, who learned the doctrines of Christianity at Ephesus from Aquila and Priscilla, became a preacher of the gospel in Achaia and Corinth, and an assistant of Paul in his missionary work. Some have regarded him as the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews. Research Apollos
Constellations are the groups into which astronomers have divided the fixed stars, and which have received names for the convenience of description and reference. It is plain that the union of several stars into a constellation, to which the name of some animal, person, or inanimate object is given, must be entirely arbitrary, since the several points (the stars) may be united in a hundred different ways, just as imagination directs.
The grouping adopted by the Egyptians was accordingly modified by the Greeks, though they retained the Ram, the Bull, the Dog, etc; and the Greek constellations were again modified by the Romans, and again by the Arabians. At various times, also, Christianity has endeavoured to supplant the pagan system, the VenerableBede having given the names of the twelve apostles to the signs of the zodiac, and Judas Schillerius having, in 1627, applied Scripture names to all the constellations. Weigelius, a professor of Jena, even grouped the stars upon a heraldic basis, introducing the arms of all the princes of Europe among the constellations. The old constellations have, however, been for the most part retained.
Ptolemy enumerated forty-eight constellations, which are still called the Ptolemaean. They are the following: 1. The twelve signs of the zodiac. 2. Twenty-one constellations found in the northern hemisphere - the Great Bear (Ursa Major), the Little Bear (Ursa Minor), Perseus, the Dragon, Cepheus, Cassiopeia, Andromeda, Pegasus, Equulus (Horse's Head), the Triangle, the Waggoner (Auriga), Bootes, the Northern Crown (Corona Boredlis), Ophiuchus, the Serpent (Serpentarius), Hercules, the Arrow (Sagitta), the Lyre, the Swan (Cygnus), the Dolphin, the Eagle (Aquila). 3. Fifteen constellations in the southern hemisphere - Orion, the Whale (Cetus), Eridanus, the Hare (Lepus), the Great Dog (Canis Major), the Little Dog (Canis Minor), Hydra, the Cup (Crater), the Crow (Corvus), the Centaur, the Wolf (Lupus), the Altar (Ara), the Southern Fish (Piscis Australia), the Argo, the Southern Crown (Corona Australia). Others were subsequently added, this being especially rendered necessary by the increased navigation of the southern hemisphere, and now the different groups of stars have come to be associated with all sorts of animals and objects, including the Giraffe, the Fly, the Air-pump, the Compasses, etc.
The different stars of a constellation are marked by Greek letters, alpha denoting those of the first magnitude, beta,those of the second and so on. Stars of the sixth magnitude are the smallest visible to the naked eye. Several stars also have particular names. Research Constellation
The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
Abbreviations
Research Hexapla
