GALATÆA, or GALATHÆA, in fabulous history, a sea nymph, daughter of Nereus and Doris. She was passionately loved by the Cyclops Polyphemus, whom she treated with coldness and disdain; while Acis, a shepherd of Sicily, enjoyed her unbounded affection. The happiness of these two lovers was disturbed by the jealousy of the Cyclops, who crushed his rival to pieces with a piece of a broken rock while he reposed on the bosom of Galatæa. The nymph was inconsolable for the loss of Acis; and as she could not restore him to life, she changed him into a fountain.