DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5309#0150
CERCOPITHECUS ; OR EGYPTIAN CYNOCEPHALUS.
In the exposition of the hieroglyphics, selected by Horus Apollo, we read that the
Egyptians designed the emblem of the equinoxes, by the picture of a Cercopithecus,
or, Cynocephalus, sitting and in the act of making water ; from a prevailing opinion,
that this animal, during both the equinoxes, makes water once in each hour, by day as
well as by night ; his figure therefore used to be placed over the hydrologia, the
mechanism of which may be found accurately explained in the (Edipus of Kircher. As
it so happens that our Cercopithecus was cut out of the manubrium, or handle of a
water-vase, we may infer, that it belonged to some of the machines that measured the
equinoctial hours. Pliny seems to refer the origin of the hydrologium to the artist
Ctesibius, of whom he speaks in terms of high admiration. This Ctesibius lived in the
reign of Ptolemy Philadelphus, and invented a kind of hydroscope, or water-glass,
which was placed in the temple of Arsinoe, sister of the aforesaid Philadelphus. But
there is reason to think it an invention of a more ancient date ; for the clepsydrae, or
water-clocks, are much on the same plan, and we find them mentioned long before the
time of Ctesibius. Aristotle availed himself of a clepsydra, to demonstrate the reality
of air ; and we shall take occasion to remark, that some Carthaginian commanders em-
ployed the same for the very purpose of a telegraph, as may be seen in the stratagems
of Polycenus, and the history of Polybius. Tycho Brahe used the clepsydra to mea-
sure the motion of the stars : and by the same contrivance, M.D'Amontons flattered
himself that he would be able to find the longitude : the trial, however, baffled all his
endeavours. The rigid exactitude which, to reach such a discovery, is required in the
minutest divisions of time, cannot absolutely be obtained by any instrument subject to
the variations of the atmosphere.
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In the exposition of the hieroglyphics, selected by Horus Apollo, we read that the
Egyptians designed the emblem of the equinoxes, by the picture of a Cercopithecus,
or, Cynocephalus, sitting and in the act of making water ; from a prevailing opinion,
that this animal, during both the equinoxes, makes water once in each hour, by day as
well as by night ; his figure therefore used to be placed over the hydrologia, the
mechanism of which may be found accurately explained in the (Edipus of Kircher. As
it so happens that our Cercopithecus was cut out of the manubrium, or handle of a
water-vase, we may infer, that it belonged to some of the machines that measured the
equinoctial hours. Pliny seems to refer the origin of the hydrologium to the artist
Ctesibius, of whom he speaks in terms of high admiration. This Ctesibius lived in the
reign of Ptolemy Philadelphus, and invented a kind of hydroscope, or water-glass,
which was placed in the temple of Arsinoe, sister of the aforesaid Philadelphus. But
there is reason to think it an invention of a more ancient date ; for the clepsydrae, or
water-clocks, are much on the same plan, and we find them mentioned long before the
time of Ctesibius. Aristotle availed himself of a clepsydra, to demonstrate the reality
of air ; and we shall take occasion to remark, that some Carthaginian commanders em-
ployed the same for the very purpose of a telegraph, as may be seen in the stratagems
of Polycenus, and the history of Polybius. Tycho Brahe used the clepsydra to mea-
sure the motion of the stars : and by the same contrivance, M.D'Amontons flattered
himself that he would be able to find the longitude : the trial, however, baffled all his
endeavours. The rigid exactitude which, to reach such a discovery, is required in the
minutest divisions of time, cannot absolutely be obtained by any instrument subject to
the variations of the atmosphere.
93