Proceedings of the Society of Biblical Archaeology

Jan.14] PROCEEDINGS. [1890.

"Theconstellationof the Scorpion (Girtab)portendsa foundation";*

but Apin is not Girtab, whichlatteris No. XXVI in the List of the

ThirtyStars. Therewas both a vernaland an autumnal 'foundation,'

but those weresolar. ThatApinwasin the ecliptic we also learn

fromS. 375 (ap. Budge),"TheStarof the Foundation {Apin)the

roadof the sun took."t Its importance we may gatherfromthe

"Saints'Calendar"Tablet,translatedby Professor SayceJ:— "The

twenty-fifth day (is) the processional day of Bel and Beltis of

Babylon. A lucky day. In the night the king presentshis free-will

offeringto Bel before the Star of the Foundation."

The winter solsticewasa natural commencementof the year,

and the Boiotian, Delphian, and Bithynian years began at this

period.§ The appearanceof the first full moon afterthe winter

solstice " is still celebrated as the chief annual festival of the

Dravidiansof southern India,whereit marks the beginning of the

year";|| and a list of Tamil (Dravidian)lunarand solar lunarmonths,

givenby Mr. Hewitt,is in exact agreementwiththe Tablet of the

ThirtyStars. Thislist is as follows :—

TamilLunar List. TamilSolar-LunarList.

I. Tat. Kumbha," TheWatering-pot."

2.Afaussi. Minam," The Fishes."

3-Panguni. Mesham,"TheRam."

4- Chittri. Rishabam,"TheBull."

5- Vayast. Midhunant," The Twins."

6. Auni. Kartakam,"TheCrab."
   7- Audi. Simham," The Lion."


7. Auvani. Kauni,"TheGirl."
   9- Purattasi Tulam," The Balance."


8. Arpesi. Vrishakam," TheScorpion."


9. Kartikai Dhamsu," The Archer."


10. Margali. Makaram, " The Goat-fish."

• Vide Proceedings,Feb.1889,p. 145.
  t Transactions, VII, 60. The sun-paih 0§--]*f, Kharran D.P.
  Samsi,is referredto in several passages,
  t Rel. And. Babylonians,74.
  § Vide Lewis,Astronomyof the Ancients, 29.
  y Hewitt, EarlyHist,of NorthernIndia,551-2.
  141