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[[File:Toucan plancius1598.jpg|alt=bird labelled "Toucan" on Plancius's Globe|thumb|First depiction of Toucan on the Hondius/Plancius globe of 1598.]]
[[File:Exster (name in first publication).jpg|alt=section of de Houtman's star catalogue (1603) with the headline "Exster"|thumb|The name "Exster" was given to the constellation by de Houtman (1603) in the first star catalogue. ]]
[[File:Exster (name in first publication).jpg|alt=section of de Houtman's star catalogue (1603) with the headline "Exster"|thumb|The name "Indiaenschen Exster" ["Indian Magpie"] was given to the constellation by de Houtman (1603) in the first printed catalogue of the southernmost stars.]]
[[File:Toucan plancius1598.jpg|alt=bird labelled "Toucan" on Plancius's Globe|thumb|first depiction of Toucan on Plancius's globe (1598)]]
[[File:TUC (IAU constellation).gif|alt=modern map of constellation Tucana|thumb|Constellation Tucana (modern definition: S&T Graphics)]]
[[File:TUC (IAU constellation).gif|alt=modern map of constellation Tucana|thumb|Constellation Tucana (modern definition: S&T Graphics)]]
One of the [[:Category:88_IAU-Constellations|88 IAU constellations]].
"den Indiaenschen Exster, op Indies Lang ghenaemt" (the Indian Magpie, known as "Lang" in the Indies) was the original Dutch name of the constellation of the bird that is now called "Toucan" (Tucana, Tuc). The constellation was invented by Pieter Dircksz Keyser and Frederik de Houtman on their journey to Indonesia in 1595/6.

The original Dutch name of the constellation of the bird that is now called "Toucan" (Tucana, Tuc) was "den Indiaenschen Exster, op Indies Lang ghenaemt" (the Indian Magpie, known as "Lang" in the Indies). The constellation was invented by Pieter Dircksz Keyser and Frederik de Houtman on their journey to Indonesia in 1595/6.


== Invention & Transformation ==
== Invention & Transformation ==
The southern star catalog by de Houtman<ref>Frederik de Houtman (1603) [https://objects.library.uu.nl/reader/index.php?obj=1874-205055&lan=en#page//10/65/92/106592907949460216143244254321834124579.jpg/mode/1up Star Catalogue concerning the Indian Magpie]</ref> and Keyser was published by de [https://objects.library.uu.nl/reader/index.php?obj=1874-205055&lan=en#page//10/65/92/106592907949460216143244254321834124579.jpg/mode/1up Houtman in 1603 as an appendix] to a dictionary of the Malaysian (and other) language(s). This star catalog was written in Dutch (with later translations to French<ref>Houtman, F. and Marre, A., “Catalogue des étoiles circumpolaires australes observées dans l'Ile de Sumatra”, ''Bulletin sciences mathématiques et astronomiques'', vol. 1, pp. 336–352, 1881. https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1881BSMA....5..336H/abstract</ref>, English<ref>Knobel, E. B., “On Frederick de Houtman's catalogue of southern stars, and the origin of the southern constellations”, ''Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society'', vol. 77, OUP, pp. 414–432, 1917. doi:10.1093/mnras/77.5.414. https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1917MNRAS..77..414K/abstract</ref><ref>Knobel, E. B., “Note on the paper 'On Frederick de Houtman's catalogue of southern stars, and the origin of the southern constellations' ", ''Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society'', vol. 77, OUP, p. 580, 1917. doi:10.1093/mnras/77.8.580. https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1917MNRAS..77..580K/abstract</ref> and Spanish<ref>Miguel Selga (1918) ''Revista de la Sociedad Astronómica de España y América''</ref>). This printed catalogue of 1603 was made from observations collected by De Houtman on his second voyage (1598-1602) and during the two-year period when he was held as a hostage by the Sultan of Aceh on Northern Sumatra. At that time, de Houtman worked for W.J. Blaeu, a Plancius competitor, who used the data on his celestial globe of 1603.
The southern star catalog by de Houtman<ref>Frederik de Houtman (1603) [https://objects.library.uu.nl/reader/index.php?obj=1874-205055&lan=en#page//10/65/92/106592907949460216143244254321834124579.jpg/mode/1up Star Catalogue concerning the Indian Magpie]</ref> and Keyser was published by de [https://objects.library.uu.nl/reader/index.php?obj=1874-205055&lan=en#page//10/65/92/106592907949460216143244254321834124579.jpg/mode/1up Houtman in 1603 as an appendix] to a dictionary of the Malaysian (and other) language(s). This star catalog was written in Dutch (with later translations to French,<ref>Marre, Aristide, “Catalogue des étoiles circumpolaires australes observées dans l'Ile de Sumatra”, ''Bulletin sciences mathématiques et astronomiques'', '''1''' (1881), 336–352 [[https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1881BSMA....5..336H/abstract ADS link]].</ref> English<ref>Knobel, Edward Ball, “On Frederick de Houtman's catalogue of southern stars, and the origin of the southern constellations”, ''Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society'', '''77''' (1917), 414–432 [[https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/77.5.414 doi link] / [https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1917MNRAS..77..414K/abstract ADS link]].</ref><ref>Knobel, Edward Ball, “Note on the paper 'On Frederick de Houtman's catalogue of southern stars, and the origin of the southern constellations' ", ''Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society'', '''77''' (1917), 580 [[https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/77.8.580 doi link] / [https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1917MNRAS..77..580K/abstract ADS link]].</ref> and Spanish<ref>Selga, Miguel, "Un catálogo antiguo de estrellas australes", ''Revista de la Sociedad Astronómica de España y América'', '''8''' (1918), 84-90 & '''9''' (1919), 11, 44-46 & 62-63 [online link(?)].</ref>). This printed catalogue of 1603 was made from observations collected by de Houtman on his second voyage (1598-1602) and during the two-year period when he was held as a hostage by the Sultan of Aceh on Northern Sumatra. At that time, de Houtman worked for W.J. Blaeu, a Plancius competitor, who used the data on his celestial globe of 1603.


Before the publication of his star catalogue, de Houtman had shared the data from the first voyage (1595/6) with Petrus Plancius who had actually commissioned this work. Plancius used the data collected by Pieter Dircksz Keyser on the exploration "Eerste Schipvaart" ('de eerste schipvaart op Oost-Indie'); De Houtman may have assisted in making these observations, and as Keyser was buried on the island of Java, de Houtman may also have been the person who personally communicated Keyser’s data to Plancius in 1597, but this is nowhere explicitly stated, it is just assumed because Plancius had worked with this material, and his [http://www.ianridpath.com/startales/plancius-globe.html celestial globe of 1598] already displayed paintings of the newly invented constellations in the south. The images had the labels "Indian" and "Toucan" left and right of the bird, while the left label ("Indian") also referred to the male figure northwest of it. Petrus Plancius' work and/or its copies by W. J. Blaeu served as source for Bayer's ''Uranometria'' (1603). Bayer's map of the south pole also displays the image with the label "Toucan" and an extraordinarily long beak.
Before the publication of his star catalogue, de Houtman had shared the data from the first voyage (1595/6) with Petrus Plancius who had actually commissioned this work. Plancius used the data collected by Pieter Dircksz Keyser on the exploration "Eerste Schipvaart" ('de eerste schipvaart op Oost-Indie'); De Houtman may have assisted in making these observations, and as Keyser was buried on the island of Java, de Houtman may also have been the person who personally communicated Keyser’s data to Plancius in 1597, but this is nowhere explicitly stated, it is just assumed because Plancius had worked with this material, and his [http://www.ianridpath.com/startales/plancius-globe.html celestial globe of 1598] already displayed paintings of the newly invented constellations in the south. The images had the labels "Indian" and "Toucan" left and right of the bird, while the left label ("Indian") also referred to the male figure northwest of it. Petrus Plancius' work and/or its copies by W. J. Blaeu served as source for Bayer's ''Uranometria'' (1603). Bayer's map of the south pole also displays the image with the label "Toucan" and an extraordinarily long beak.


=== Species of this bird ===
== Species of this bird ==
The additional phrase in de Houtman's catalog, mentioning that the bird was named "Lang" is occasionally misinterpreted to be the cause for this depiction, implying that "Lang" in Dutch means "long" and refers to the beak. In de Houtman's days the Dutch word for long was usually spelled as "lanck", so "Lang" is actually the name of the bird in the Malay language (cf. Maass 1926)<ref>Alfred Maass, ``Sternkunde und Sterndeuterei im malaiischen Archipel<nowiki>''</nowiki>, [https://kitlv-docs.library.leiden.edu/open/Metamorfoze/TBG/tbg.html Tijdschrift voor Indische Taal-, Land- en Volkenkunde], vol. 64 (1924), pp. 1-172 & 347-459, with a "Nachtrag", vol. 66 (1926), pp. 618-670.</ref>. According to the [https://archive.org/details/aeg2034.0001.001.umich.edu/page/599/mode/1up Malay-English Dictionary (1901)], it is the a generic term for birds of prey such as hawks, kites, falcons and eagles.
The additional phrase in de Houtman's catalog, mentioning that the bird was named "Lang" is occasionally misinterpreted to be the cause for this depiction, implying that "Lang" in Dutch means "long" and refers to the beak. In de Houtman's days the Dutch word for long was usually spelled as "lanck", so "Lang" is actually the name of the bird in the Malay language (cf. Maass 1926)<ref>Maass, Alfred, "Sternkunde und Sterndeuterei im malaiischen Archipel", ''Tijdschrift voor Indische Taal-, Land- en Volkenkunde'', '''64''' (1924), 1-172 & 347-459 [[https://kitlv-docs.library.leiden.edu/open/Metamorfoze/TBG/MMKITLV01_PDF_TS2332_1924_64.pdf online link]], with a "Nachtrag", '''66''' (1926), 618-670 [[https://kitlv-docs.library.leiden.edu/open/Metamorfoze/TBG/MMKITLV01_PDF_TS2332_1926_66.pdf online link]].</ref>. According to the [https://archive.org/details/aeg2034.0001.001.umich.edu/page/599/mode/1up Malay-English Dictionary (1901)], it is the a generic term for birds of prey such as hawks, kites, falcons and eagles.


The hornbill's beak and crown start off white, but they may gradually turn orange and red because the hornbill rubs its beak against a gland. Although hornbills' favorite food is fig leaves, they also commonly eat insects, mice, lizards, and small birds.
The hornbill's beak and crown start off white, but they may gradually turn orange and red because the hornbill rubs its beak against a gland. Although hornbills' favorite food is fig leaves, they also commonly eat insects, mice, lizards, and small birds.
[[File:Toucan1575 Thevat.jpg|alt=book page - screenshot|thumb|Toucan in the Book by André Thevat 1575 (with depiction).]]
It looks like illustrations of Toucans from Brazil were already in books in the late 1500s, see books by André Thevet (e.g. [https://books.google.com/books?id=JtgaX-v2A5sC&pg=PA90-IA1&dq=toucan Thevat 1558], [https://books.google.com/books?id=QW5YAAAAcAAJ&pg=RA2-PA938-IA1&dq=toucan&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwii74OipKeHAxXnBEQIHV6zC6AQ6AF6BAgFEAI#v=onepage&q=toucan&f=false Thevat 1575]), so one could imagine in late 16th century Dutch ports there was access to books with an illustration of the South American Toucan, even if they never saw the hornbill endemic to Africa, India, Indonesia.  


==== Indigenous importance ====
=== Indigenous importance ===
In the Indonesian language, the bird is called "Burung Enggang" or "Burung Rangkong." Renowned on the island of Borneo, this human-friendly hornbill is closely associated with the Dayak people. In Dayak philosophy, the bird holds great significance and is deeply embedded in their culture and local wisdom. The hornbill symbolises the close connection of the Indonesian people to their natural surroundings. Its entire body represents the greatness and glory of the tribe, symbolising peace and unity, with its thick wings denoting a leader who always protects his people. The long tail is viewed as a sign of the prosperity of the Dayak people. Moreover, the hornbill serves as an example of family life in the community, teaching them always to love their partners and raise their children to become independent and mature Dayaks.
In the Indonesian language, the bird is called "Burung Enggang" or "Burung Rangkong." Renowned on the island of Borneo, this human-friendly hornbill is closely associated with the Dayak people. In Dayak philosophy, the bird holds great significance and is deeply embedded in their culture and local wisdom. The hornbill symbolises the close connection of the Indonesian people to their natural surroundings. Its entire body represents the greatness and glory of the tribe, symbolising peace and unity, with its thick wings denoting a leader who always protects his people. The long tail is viewed as a sign of the prosperity of the Dayak people. Moreover, the hornbill serves as an example of family life in the community, teaching them always to love their partners and raise their children to become independent and mature Dayaks.


<gallery>
==== Mythology ====
File:Talawang-Perisai-Tradisi-Suku-Dayak-941x480.jpg|Dayak tribal magical shield which has a picture of a hornbill in the carving (Youla Azkarrula 2024)
File:Hornbill Thailand 2023.jpg|hornbill in a tree in Thailand (photograph by Cheung Sze Leung)
File:Great hornbill Photograph by Shantanu Kuveskar.jpg|alt=This file is from Wikimedia Commons and may be used by other projects. The description on its file description page there is shown below. Photograph by Shantanu Kuveskar Location : Raigad, Maharashtra, India (2020)|This file is from Wikimedia Commons and may be used by other projects. The description on its file description page there is shown below. Photograph by Shantanu Kuveskar Location : Raigad, Maharashtra, India (2020)
File:Rangkong youla.jpg|Image description here. [https://www.rekoforest.org/id/warta-lapangan/english-the-13-hornbills-of-indonesia/ more information in Indonesian]. 1. Julang Sulawesi (Rhyticeros cassidix), conservation status: vulnerable 2. Kangkareng Sulawesi (Anthracoceros malayanus), Conservation status: near threatened 3. Julang Sumba (Rhyticeros everetti), conservation status: vulnerable 4. Enggang Klihingan (Anorrhinus galeritus), conservation status: low risk 5. Julang Emas (Rhyticeros undulatus), conservation status: low risk 6. Enggang Cula (Buceros rhinoceros), Conservation status: near threatened 7. Kangkareng Hitam (Anthracoceros malayanus), Conservation status: near threatened 8. Kangkareng Perut-putih (Anthracoceros albirostris), conservation status: low risk 9. Rangkong Gading (Rhinoplax vigil), conservation status: critical 10. Julang Irian (Rhyticeros plicatus), conservation status: low risk 11. Enggang Jambul (Berenicornis comatus), Conservation status: near threatened 12. Enggang Papan (Buceros bicornis), Conservation status: near threatened 13. Julang Jambul-Hitam (Rhabdotorrhinus corrugatus), Conservation status: near threatened
File:Hornbill fb.jpg|hornbill interacting with men in modern popculture
</gallery>

=== Mythology ===
A Dayak story from Kalimantan reports that hornbills are the incarnation of the Bird Commander. Panglima Burung is a figure who lives in the mountains of inland Kalimantan and has a magical form and will only be present during war. In general, this bird is considered sacred and is not allowed to be hunted or eaten. Even today, the government protects this species by law.
A Dayak story from Kalimantan reports that hornbills are the incarnation of the Bird Commander. Panglima Burung is a figure who lives in the mountains of inland Kalimantan and has a magical form and will only be present during war. In general, this bird is considered sacred and is not allowed to be hunted or eaten. Even today, the government protects this species by law.


=== Possible origins of the interpretation of a Toucan ===
===Possible origins of the interpretation of a Toucan===
[[File:Tucana blaeu 1603.jpg|alt=photograph|thumb|On Blaeu's 1603 globe the bird is named Pica Indica ab Indis Lang, and is drawn as a hornbill, not a toucan.]]
Toucans are not home to the East Indies and Malaysia. It has been suggested that images like this lead to the new interpretation of the constellation as a Toucan, although de Houtman certainly did not describe a toucan but an hornbill (cf. Smith 2007<ref>Smith, Paul J. (2007). On Toucans And Hornbills: Readings In Early Modern Ornithology From Belon To Buffon. In: ''Early Modern Zoology: The Construction of Animals in Science, Literature and the Visual Arts'' (2 vols.), 75–119, [https://brill.com/display/book/edcoll/9789047422365/Bej.9789004131880.i-657_005.xml Brill,] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1163/ej.9789004131880.i-657.24</ref> and Ridpath).
Toucans are not home to the East Indies and Malaysia. [http://www.ianridpath.com/startales/tucana.html Ridpath] suggests that the inventor of this constellation was actually Pieter Keyser who had not survived the expedition to the East Indies but had previously visited South America. Hoffmann (2021, 108) considers an image or sculpture of the bird enough to confuse naming. Thus, Plancius and de Houtman would also be possible inventors because baroque ‘wunderkamers’ could certainly have played a mediating role here. Rob van Gent adds that it is not necessary that Keyser, de Houtman or Plancius actually saw a living (or dead) toucan as they are bound to descriptions and depictions of the bird in 16th-century travel literature: in particular Plancius would surely have been familiar with these.

With the above mentioned facts on the significance of hornbills in the Indonesian Dayak culture, it appears even more likely that de Houtman (with or without Keyser) named the constellation of the "Indiaenische Exster" (in Dutch) after the hornbill. This is supported by the label "ab Indis Lang" on the globe by Blaeu (1603), in a time when de Houtman worked for Blaeu. As the biological differences between hornbills and toucans were likely unknown, the name of the constellation might simply be a confusion caused by the lack of biological knowledge.

== Versions in early modern celestial maps ==

=== Usage of "Lang" ===
During the first half of the 17th century the alternative name 'Lang'<ref>Not to be confused with the modern Dutch word for the adjective "long". In late 16th- and 17th-century Dutch sources this was commonly written as "lanck" or 'langh".</ref> was also used on Dutch and French celestial globes and maps.

* celestial globe of [[wikipedia:Willem_Blaeu|Willem Jansz Blaeu]] dated 1603.
* undated [https://webspace.science.uu.nl/~gent0113/celestia/puzzlingstarmaps.htm pair of celestial planispheres] by an unknown author.
* [https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b8490787w pair of celestial planispheres] by [[wikipedia:Melchior_Tavernier|Melchior Tavernier]] dated 1628.
* [https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b8490592h pair of celestial planispheres] by [https://data.bnf.fr/15320054/antoine_de_fer/ Antoine de Fer] dated 1650.


After ''c.'' 1650 the name Lang does not seem to be used anymore on celestial globes and maps.
[http://www.ianridpath.com/startales/tucana.html Ridpath] suggests that the inventor of this constellation was actually Pieter Keyser who had not survived the expedition to the East Indies but had previously visited South America. Hoffmann (2021, 108) suggests Plancius and de Houtman as also possible because baroque ‘wunderkamers’ could certainly have played a mediating role here. Rob van Gent here adds that is not necessary that Keyser, de Houtman or Plancius actually saw a live (or dead) toucan as they are bound to descriptions and depictions of the bird in 16th-century travel literature: in particular Plancius would surely have been familiar with these.


=== Versions ===
=== Image Gallery ===
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:Toucan plancius1598.jpg|Plancius' Toucan (1598)
File:Toucan plancius1598.jpg|Plancius' Toucan (1598)
File:Tuc Bayer.png|Bayer's Toucan (1603)
File:Tuc Bayer.png|Bayer's Toucan (1603)
File:Tucana blaeu 1603.jpg|On Blaeu's 1603 globe the bird is named Pica Indica ab Indis Lang, and is drawn as a hornbill, not a toucan.
File:Tucana blaeu 1603.jpg|On Blaeu's 1603 globe the bird is named "Pica Indica ab Indis Lang", and is drawn as a hornbill, not a toucan.
File:Lang-Exster mystery star map south.jpg|Tucana labelled "Lang" on an anonymous planisphere of the southern sky in the Bodel Nijenhuis Collection of the Leiden University Library ([https://webspace.science.uu.nl/~gent0113/celestia/puzzlingstarmaps.htm more information]).
File:Lang onGlobeByMelchiorTevenier highlighted.JPG|Tucana labelled "Lang" on Melchior Tavernier's celestial planisphere of the southern sky dated 1628 ([https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b8490787w/f2.item# Gallica]).
File:Toucan doppelmayr1742.jpg|Doppelmayr's Toucan (1742)
File:Toucan doppelmayr1742.jpg|Doppelmayr's Toucan (1742)
File:Toucan Lacaille Goldbach.jpg|Lacaille's Toucan (1756)
File:Toucan Lacaille Goldbach.jpg|Lacaille's Toucan (1756)
Line 35: Line 62:
File:Toucan Fortin1775-1795.jpg|Fortin's Toucan (1775-1795)
File:Toucan Fortin1775-1795.jpg|Fortin's Toucan (1775-1795)
File:Toucan Goldbach1799.jpg|Goldbach's Toucan (1799) looks like a sparrow
File:Toucan Goldbach1799.jpg|Goldbach's Toucan (1799) looks like a sparrow
File:Simon Tucana 1894.jpg|Tucana at ''Planisferio celeste'' (Carlos Simón 1894)
</gallery>
</gallery>


== Modern Star Name ==
== IAU WGSN - Modern Star Name==
"Exster" or "Lang" were proposed as a name for the main star of the modern IAU-constellation of Tucana (alf Tuc) in 2023. Variants could be using one name for Alpha, the other for Beta Tuc. There were concerns from the American and European members of WGSN that a Dutch (European) term might possibly be interpreted offending for the native population due to colonialism, but our Indonesian colleagues rejected this concern. As our studies suggest that "Lang" was probably an indigenous name for the bird (in one the many Malaysian dialects) that was taken over by the Europeans in the 17th century, we suggest a double name "Lang-Exster" for the star Alpha Tucanae (α Tuc), a spectroscopic binary with an integrated Vmag of 2.82 ([https://simbad.cds.unistra.fr/simbad/sim-id?Ident=alf+Tuc&NbIdent=1&Radius=2&Radius.unit=arcmin&submit=submit+id SIMBAD]). This will in any case respect and preserve the heritage of both, the indigenous Indonesian/ Malayan culture and the European Golden Age of Cartography in the 17th century.
"Exster" is proposed as name for the main star of the modern IAU-constellation of Tucana (alf Tuc).


WGSN thanks Youla Azkarrula (from Bali, Indonesia) for valuable contributions to this topic.
"Lang" is proposed as name for beta Tuc.


==References==
(or vice versa?)
== References ==


* Ian Ridpath, Star Tales. [http://www.ianridpath.com/startales/tucana.html website]
*Ian Ridpath, Star Tales. [http://www.ianridpath.com/startales/tucana.html website]
[[Category:Eurasia]]
[[Category:Eurasia]]
[[Category:European]]
[[Category:European]]
[[Category:Modern]]
[[Category:Modern]]
[[Category:88 IAU-Constellations]]
<references />

Latest revision as of 11:30, 25 September 2024

bird labelled "Toucan" on Plancius's Globe
First depiction of Toucan on the Hondius/Plancius globe of 1598.
section of de Houtman's star catalogue (1603) with the headline "Exster"
The name "Indiaenschen Exster" ["Indian Magpie"] was given to the constellation by de Houtman (1603) in the first printed catalogue of the southernmost stars.
modern map of constellation Tucana
Constellation Tucana (modern definition: S&T Graphics)

One of the 88 IAU constellations.

The original Dutch name of the constellation of the bird that is now called "Toucan" (Tucana, Tuc) was "den Indiaenschen Exster, op Indies Lang ghenaemt" (the Indian Magpie, known as "Lang" in the Indies). The constellation was invented by Pieter Dircksz Keyser and Frederik de Houtman on their journey to Indonesia in 1595/6.

Invention & Transformation

The southern star catalog by de Houtman[1] and Keyser was published by de Houtman in 1603 as an appendix to a dictionary of the Malaysian (and other) language(s). This star catalog was written in Dutch (with later translations to French,[2] English[3][4] and Spanish[5]). This printed catalogue of 1603 was made from observations collected by de Houtman on his second voyage (1598-1602) and during the two-year period when he was held as a hostage by the Sultan of Aceh on Northern Sumatra. At that time, de Houtman worked for W.J. Blaeu, a Plancius competitor, who used the data on his celestial globe of 1603.

Before the publication of his star catalogue, de Houtman had shared the data from the first voyage (1595/6) with Petrus Plancius who had actually commissioned this work. Plancius used the data collected by Pieter Dircksz Keyser on the exploration "Eerste Schipvaart" ('de eerste schipvaart op Oost-Indie'); De Houtman may have assisted in making these observations, and as Keyser was buried on the island of Java, de Houtman may also have been the person who personally communicated Keyser’s data to Plancius in 1597, but this is nowhere explicitly stated, it is just assumed because Plancius had worked with this material, and his celestial globe of 1598 already displayed paintings of the newly invented constellations in the south. The images had the labels "Indian" and "Toucan" left and right of the bird, while the left label ("Indian") also referred to the male figure northwest of it. Petrus Plancius' work and/or its copies by W. J. Blaeu served as source for Bayer's Uranometria (1603). Bayer's map of the south pole also displays the image with the label "Toucan" and an extraordinarily long beak.

Species of this bird

The additional phrase in de Houtman's catalog, mentioning that the bird was named "Lang" is occasionally misinterpreted to be the cause for this depiction, implying that "Lang" in Dutch means "long" and refers to the beak. In de Houtman's days the Dutch word for long was usually spelled as "lanck", so "Lang" is actually the name of the bird in the Malay language (cf. Maass 1926)[6]. According to the Malay-English Dictionary (1901), it is the a generic term for birds of prey such as hawks, kites, falcons and eagles.

The hornbill's beak and crown start off white, but they may gradually turn orange and red because the hornbill rubs its beak against a gland. Although hornbills' favorite food is fig leaves, they also commonly eat insects, mice, lizards, and small birds.

book page - screenshot
Toucan in the Book by André Thevat 1575 (with depiction).

It looks like illustrations of Toucans from Brazil were already in books in the late 1500s, see books by André Thevet (e.g. Thevat 1558, Thevat 1575), so one could imagine in late 16th century Dutch ports there was access to books with an illustration of the South American Toucan, even if they never saw the hornbill endemic to Africa, India, Indonesia.  

Indigenous importance

In the Indonesian language, the bird is called "Burung Enggang" or "Burung Rangkong." Renowned on the island of Borneo, this human-friendly hornbill is closely associated with the Dayak people. In Dayak philosophy, the bird holds great significance and is deeply embedded in their culture and local wisdom. The hornbill symbolises the close connection of the Indonesian people to their natural surroundings. Its entire body represents the greatness and glory of the tribe, symbolising peace and unity, with its thick wings denoting a leader who always protects his people. The long tail is viewed as a sign of the prosperity of the Dayak people. Moreover, the hornbill serves as an example of family life in the community, teaching them always to love their partners and raise their children to become independent and mature Dayaks.

Mythology

A Dayak story from Kalimantan reports that hornbills are the incarnation of the Bird Commander. Panglima Burung is a figure who lives in the mountains of inland Kalimantan and has a magical form and will only be present during war. In general, this bird is considered sacred and is not allowed to be hunted or eaten. Even today, the government protects this species by law.

Possible origins of the interpretation of a Toucan

photograph
On Blaeu's 1603 globe the bird is named Pica Indica ab Indis Lang, and is drawn as a hornbill, not a toucan.

Toucans are not home to the East Indies and Malaysia. Ridpath suggests that the inventor of this constellation was actually Pieter Keyser who had not survived the expedition to the East Indies but had previously visited South America. Hoffmann (2021, 108) considers an image or sculpture of the bird enough to confuse naming. Thus, Plancius and de Houtman would also be possible inventors because baroque ‘wunderkamers’ could certainly have played a mediating role here. Rob van Gent adds that it is not necessary that Keyser, de Houtman or Plancius actually saw a living (or dead) toucan as they are bound to descriptions and depictions of the bird in 16th-century travel literature: in particular Plancius would surely have been familiar with these.

With the above mentioned facts on the significance of hornbills in the Indonesian Dayak culture, it appears even more likely that de Houtman (with or without Keyser) named the constellation of the "Indiaenische Exster" (in Dutch) after the hornbill. This is supported by the label "ab Indis Lang" on the globe by Blaeu (1603), in a time when de Houtman worked for Blaeu. As the biological differences between hornbills and toucans were likely unknown, the name of the constellation might simply be a confusion caused by the lack of biological knowledge.

Versions in early modern celestial maps

Usage of "Lang"

During the first half of the 17th century the alternative name 'Lang'[7] was also used on Dutch and French celestial globes and maps.

After c. 1650 the name Lang does not seem to be used anymore on celestial globes and maps.

Image Gallery

IAU WGSN - Modern Star Name

"Exster" or "Lang" were proposed as a name for the main star of the modern IAU-constellation of Tucana (alf Tuc) in 2023. Variants could be using one name for Alpha, the other for Beta Tuc. There were concerns from the American and European members of WGSN that a Dutch (European) term might possibly be interpreted offending for the native population due to colonialism, but our Indonesian colleagues rejected this concern. As our studies suggest that "Lang" was probably an indigenous name for the bird (in one the many Malaysian dialects) that was taken over by the Europeans in the 17th century, we suggest a double name "Lang-Exster" for the star Alpha Tucanae (α Tuc), a spectroscopic binary with an integrated Vmag of 2.82 (SIMBAD). This will in any case respect and preserve the heritage of both, the indigenous Indonesian/ Malayan culture and the European Golden Age of Cartography in the 17th century.

WGSN thanks Youla Azkarrula (from Bali, Indonesia) for valuable contributions to this topic.

References

  1. Frederik de Houtman (1603) Star Catalogue concerning the Indian Magpie
  2. Marre, Aristide, “Catalogue des étoiles circumpolaires australes observées dans l'Ile de Sumatra”, Bulletin sciences mathématiques et astronomiques, 1 (1881), 336–352 [ADS link].
  3. Knobel, Edward Ball, “On Frederick de Houtman's catalogue of southern stars, and the origin of the southern constellations”, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 77 (1917), 414–432 [doi link / ADS link].
  4. Knobel, Edward Ball, “Note on the paper 'On Frederick de Houtman's catalogue of southern stars, and the origin of the southern constellations' ", Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 77 (1917), 580 [doi link / ADS link].
  5. Selga, Miguel, "Un catálogo antiguo de estrellas australes", Revista de la Sociedad Astronómica de España y América, 8 (1918), 84-90 & 9 (1919), 11, 44-46 & 62-63 [online link(?)].
  6. Maass, Alfred, "Sternkunde und Sterndeuterei im malaiischen Archipel", Tijdschrift voor Indische Taal-, Land- en Volkenkunde, 64 (1924), 1-172 & 347-459 [online link], with a "Nachtrag", 66 (1926), 618-670 [online link].
  7. Not to be confused with the modern Dutch word for the adjective "long". In late 16th- and 17th-century Dutch sources this was commonly written as "lanck" or 'langh".