The Primative and leading magnifiers of this Star, were the _Egyptians_, the great admirers of Dogs in Earth and Heaven. [SN: Dionysius Periegesi.] Wherein they worshipped _Anubis_ or _Mercurius_, the Scribe of _Saturn_, and Counseller of _Osyris_, the great inventor of their religious rites, and Promoter of good unto _Egypt_. Who was therefore translated into this Star; by the _Egyptians_ called _Sothis_, and _Siris_ by the _Ethiopians_; from whence that _Sirius_ or the Dog-star had its name, is by some conjectured.
And this they looked upon, not with reference unto heat, but cÅlestial influence upon the faculties of man, in order to religion and all sagacious invention; and from hence derived the abundance and great fertility of _Egypt_, the overflow of _Nilus_ happening about the ascent hereof. And therefore in hieroglyphical monuments, _Anubis_ is described with a Dogs-head, with a Crocodile between his legs, with a sphere in his hand, with two Stars, and a water Pot standing by him; implying thereby, the rising and setting of the Dog-star, and the inundation of the River _Nilus_.
But if all were silent, _Galen_ hath explained this point unto the life; who expounding the reason why _Hippocrates_ declared the affections of the year by the rising and setting of Stars; it was saith he, because he would proceed on signs and principles best known unto all Nations. And upon his words in the first of the Epidemicks, _In Thaso Autumno circa Equinoxium et sub virgilias pluviæ erant multæ_, he thus enlargeth. If (saith he) the same compute of times and months were observed by all Nations, _Hippocrates_ had never made any mention either of Arcturus, Pleiades or the Dog-star; but would have plainly said, in _Macedonia_, in the month Dion, thus or thus was the air disposed. But for as much as the month Dion is only known unto the _Macedonians_, but obscure unto the _Athenians_ and other Nations, he found more general distinctions of time, and instead of naming months, would usually say, at the Ãquinox, the rising of the Pleiades, or the Dog-star. [SN: _How the Ancients divided the seasons of the year._] And by this way did the Ancients divide the seasons of the year, the Autumn, Winter, Spring, and Summer. By the rising of the Pleiades, denoting the beginning of Summer, and by that of the Dog-star, the declination thereof. By this way _Aristotle_ through all his books of Animals, distinguishing their times of generation, latitancy, migration, sanity and venation. And this were an allowable way of compute, and still to be retained, were the site of the Stars as inalterable, and their ascents as invariable as primitive Astronomy conceived them. And therefore though _Aristotle_ frequently mentioneth this Star, and particularly affirmeth that Fishes in the Bosphorus are best catched from the arise of the Dog-star, we must not conceive the same a meer effect thereof. Nor though _Scaliger_ from hence be willing to infer the efficacy of this Star, are we induced hereto; except because the same Philosopher affirmeth, that Tunny is fat about the rising of the Pleiades, and departs upon Arcturus, or that most insects are latent, from the setting of the 7 Stars; except, I say, he give us also leave to infer that these particular effects and alterations proceed from those Stars; which were indeed but designations of such quarters and portions of the year, wherein the same were observed. Now what _Pliny_ affirmeth of the Orix, that it seemeth to adore this Star, and taketh notice thereof by voice and sternutation; until we be better assured of its verity, we shall not salve the sympathy.