in fabulous history, was the son of Jupiter, Neptune, and Mercury. As these gods were visiting the earth, they entered the house of Hyrieus, a native of Tanagra, in Boeotia, under the character of benighted travellers, on account of his being famed for hospitality to strangers. Hyrieus treated them in the best manner possible; and even killed an ox, the only one he had, for their entertainment. With this the gods were so pleased, that they offered the old man whatever he should ask; and he having let them know that he desired nothing so much as a son, they, anxious to gratify his wish, caused the ox's hide to be brought before them, and having deposited in it their urine, bade him keep it under ground for nine months. He then dug for the skin, and found in it a beautiful child, whom he called Orion. The name was afterwards changed into Orion, by the corruption of one letter, as Ovid observes: Perdidit antiquum littera primum somnum. Orion soon became conspicuous, and Diana admitted him amongst her attendants, and even became deeply enamoured of him. His gigantic stature, however, displeased Oenopion king of Chios, whose daughter Hero or Merope he requested in marriage. The king, not willing to deny him openly, promised to make him his son-in-law as soon as he should have delivered that island from wild beasts. This task, which Oenopion supposed to be impracticable, was soon performed by Orion, who eagerly demanded his reward. Oenopion, on pretence of complying,