in astronomy, a northern constellation, behind Pegasus, Cassiopeia, and Perseus. It represents the figure of a woman chained; and is fabled to have been formed in memory of Andromeda, daughter of Cepheus and Cassiopeia, and wife of Perseus, by whom she had been delivered from a sea-monster, to which she had been exposed to be devoured for her mother's pride. Minerva translated her into the heavens.

The stars in the constellation Andromeda in Ptolemy's catalogue are 23, in Tycho's 22, in Bayer's 27, in Mr Flamstead's no less than 84.

the name of a celebrated tragedy of Euripides, admired by the ancients above all the other compositions of that poet, but now lost.

It was the representation of this play, in a hot summer day, that occasioned that epidemic fever, or phrenzy, for which the Abderites are often mentioned, wherein they walked about the streets, rehearsing verses, and acting parts of this piece. See Abdera.

genus of the monogynia order, belonging to the decandra clasps of plants. For this genus there is no English name.

Species. 1. The polifolia is a low plant, growing naturally in bogs in the northern countries. It is difficultly preferred in gardens; and, being a plant of no great beauty, is seldom cultivated. 2. The mariana, a native of North America. It is a low shrub, sending out many woody stalks from the root, which are garnished with oval leaves placed alternately; the flowers are collected in small bunches, are of an herbaceous colour, and shaped like those of the strawberry-tree. They appear in June and July. 3. The paniculata is a native of Virginia and Carolina, growing in moist places. The plants usually arrive at the height of ten feet, with thin leaves set alternately, and having their edges finely serrated. The flowers are tubulous, small, and of a greenish white, closely set horizontally on one side of the slender stalks. These flowers are succeeded by berries, which open when ripe; and divide into five sections, including many small seeds. 5. The arborea is a native of the same countries, where it is called the forrel-tree. It grows to the height of 20 feet, with a trunk usually five or six inches thick. The branches are slender, thick set with leaves like those of the pear-tree. From the ends of the branches proceed many slender stalks, on one side of which hang many small white flowers like those of the strawberry-tree. 5. The canalicula, is a native of Siberia, and likewise of North America. It grows on mossy land, and is therefore very difficult to keep in gardens. The leaves are shaped like those of the box-tree, and are of the same consistence, having several small punctures on them. The flowers grow in short spikes from the extremity of the branches. They are produced single between two leaves, are of a white colour, and a cylindrical or pitcher-like shape.

Culture. All the sorts, except the fourth, are very hardy plants, which delight in moist ground. They increase by their creeping roots, which put up suckers at a distance. These may be taken off with roots; and transplanted where they are to remain, for they cannot bear to be often removed. The fourth sort requires to be sheltered from frost in winter, but in the summer should be frequently watered. It is difficult to keep in gardens, as it grows naturally in boggy places, and requires a greater heat than that of this climate. It may be propagated by seeds, which should be procured from America.