EAGLE, in astronomy, is a constellation of the northern hemisphere, having its right wing contiguous to the equinoctial. See AQUILA.
There are also three several stars, particularly denominated among the Arab astronomers, nasr, i. e. "eagle." The first, nasr sobail, the "eagle of canopus," called also sitareb jemen, the star of Arabia Felix, over which it is supposed to preside; the second, nasr alhair, the "flying eagle;" and the third, nasr alwake, the "resting eagle."
White Eagles, is a Polish order of knighthood, instituted in 1325 by Uladisslaus V. on marrying his son
Casimire with a daughter of the great-duke of Lithuania.
The knights of this order were distinguished by a gold chain, which they wore on the stomach, whereon hung a silver eagle crowned.
Black Eagle. was a like order, instituted in 1701 by the elector of Brandenburg, on his being crowned king of Prussia.
The knights of this order wear an orange-coloured ribbon, to which is suspended a black eagle.
Eagle, in architecture, is a figure of that bird anciently used as an attribute, or cognizance of Jupiter, in the capital and friezes of the columns of temples consecrated to that god.
Eagle-flower. See BALSAMINE.
Eagle-stone, in natural history, a stone, by the Greeks called atites, and by the Italians pictra d' aquila, as being supposed to be sometimes found in the eagle's nest. It is of famous traditional virtue, either for forwarding or preventing the delivery of women in labour, according as it is applied above or below the womb. Matthiolus tells us, that birds of prey could never hatch their young without it, and that they go in search for it as far as the East Indies. Bauch has an express Latin treatise on the subject. See ETITES.