a star of the first magnitude, in the rudder of the constellation Argo.

Canobus, a deity of the ancient Egyptians, and, according to some, the god of water. It is said that the Chaldeans, who worshipped fire, carried their idol through other countries to try its powers. It easily subdued the gods of wood, stone, brass, silver, and gold, and therefore its priests declared that all gods did it homage. But when the Chaldeans brought their god to contend with Canopus, the priest took a large earthen jar, and bored in it several holes, which he stopped with wax; and then, after painting the vessel of various colours and filling it with water, he fitted the head of an idol to it. The Chaldeans then kindled their fire around the image; but it was speedily extinguished, for the wax melted and the water gushed out. Thus was the god of the Chaldeans vanquished by Canopus. Jars similar to that we have just noticed are of frequent occurrence on the Egyptian monuments. They are generally ornamented with images and hieroglyphics, and surmounted by the head of some animal or by a human head. They are also found on coins. It is uncertain, however, whether a jar deity was really worshipped at Canobus. These jars were probably merely symbolical representations of certain divinities, or perhaps of the god Serapis, who was the chief deity of Canobus.

Canobus, the pilot of Menelaus, who, on his return from Troy, died in Egypt of the bite of a serpent. A temple was erected in his honour at Canopus, which derived its name from him.

Canopos, or Canobus, in Ancient Geography, a town of Lower Egypt, on the Mediterranean, a hundred and twenty stadia, or fifteen miles, to the east of Alexandria.