Low down, between north and northwest, we find the seven stars of the Dipper, the Pointers on the right nearly due north. They direct us to the Pole Star. The Guardians of the Pole (β and γ of the Little Bear, Ursa Minor) lie in a direction from the Pole Star corresponding to that of the minute hand of a clock about 17 minutes before an hour. Between the Pointers and the Pole Star we find the tip of the Dragon's tail: then passing round the Little Bear with the Dragon's long train of third magnitude stars, we come, after a bend, to the Dragon's head, with the two bright eyes, α and β—(part of the Dragon's nose has been borrowed by Hercules). These two stars are almost exactly midway between the horizon and the point overhead, and nearly northwest. King Cepheus—not a very conspicuous constellation—lies between the point overhead and the Little Bear.

Low down in the northwest we find the head of the Herdsman (Boötes). The Crown (Corona Borealis), which no one can mistake, lies on his left; and close by is the setting head of the Serpent. Above these three groups we see Hercules—the Kneeler—his head at α, his upraised club by γ. Above the head of Hercules we find the Lyre, with the bright star Vega; and above that the Swan.

Passing southward, we see the Serpent-Holder (Serpentarius or Ophiuchus), beyond whom lies the Serpent's tail; a most inconvenient arrangement, as the Serpent is divided into two parts. Almost exactly southeast, and low down, are the stars of the Archer (Sagittarius); while above, in the mid-sky, we see the Eagle (Aquila), with the bright Altair. Note the neat little constellation the Dolphin (Delphinus), close by.

Due south is the Crane (Grus); above it the Southern Fish, with the bright star Fomalhaut. Above that the Sea Goat (Capricornus), and on the left of this the Water Bearer (Aquarius); one can recognize his water pitcher, marked by the stars β, γ, and α.

Toward the west, high up, is the Winged Horse (Pegasus); he is upside down just now. Below lies the Whale (Cetus), or rather the Sea Monster. I have my own notion about Cetus, regarding him as an icthyosaurus: but that is neither here nor there. The star ο of this constellation is called Mira; it is a wonderful variable star. The Fishes (Pisces) may be seen between the Whale and Pegasus. Few constellations have suffered more than Pisces by the breaking up of star groups. The Fishes themselves are now lost in Andromeda and Pegasus.

Note how on the left of Pisces the Ram (Aries) "bears aloft" Andromeda, the Chained Lady (whose head lies at α), as Milton set Aries doing long since. The Triangles serve only as a saddle. Between Andromeda and her father, Cepheus, we find her mother, Cassiopeia, or rather Cassiopeia's Chair. (Of course β, α, and γ mark the chair's back.) Perseus, the Rescuer, lies below; β is the famous variable Algol. Below him lies the Bull (Taurus), with the Pleiades and the bright Aldebaran. Low down to the left of the Bull, we find the Charioteer (Auriga), with the bright Capella. And lastly, anyone who likes may admire the Camelopard (Camelopardalis), between the Great Bear, Cepheus, and the Charioteer.

MAP X. NIGHT SKY.—SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER.

Stars of the first magnitude are eight-pointed; second magnitude, six-pointed; third magnitude, five-pointed; fourth magnitude (a few), four-pointed; fifth magnitude (very few), three-pointed. For star names refer to page 4.

MAP XI. NIGHT SKY.—OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER.

NIGHT SKY.—OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER

The Dipper lies low, the Pointers a little east of north. They direct to the Pole Star. The Guardians of the Pole (β and γ of the Little Bear, Ursa Minor) lie in a direction from the pole star corresponding to that of the minute hand of a clock about 22 minutes before an hour. Between the Pointers and Pole Star lies the tip of the Dragon's Tail. Sweeping around the Little Bear (Ursa Minor) we find the stars of the Dragon (Draco) curving back by the star δ to the Dragon's Head, with the two bright eyes, γ and β. Above is the inconspicuous constellation Cepheus; and somewhat higher, the stars of Cassiopeia, α and β, marking the top rail of the Seated Lady's Chair.

Low down in the northwest Hercules is setting. Above is the Lyre, with the bright steel-blue Vega; and above that the stars of the Swan (Cygnus), which has sometimes been called the Northern Cross.

Nearly due west we find the Eagle (Aquila), ζ and ε marking its tail, θ the head. Above the Eagle is the pretty little constellation Delphinus, the Dolphin.

In the southwest, rather low, is the Sea Goat (Capricornus); above and to the south of him the Water Bearer (Aquarius), with his pitcher, marked by the stars, α, γ, and ζ. The head of the Winged Horse, Pegasus, now upside down (in fact, he is seldom otherwise), is just above this group. The "Square of Pegasus" will be noticed high up, due south. The star α of Andromeda, one of the corners of this square, used to be also called δ of Pegasus.

Much attention need not be directed to the Phœnix, low in the southern horizon. The River Eridanus is coming well into view; and the great Sea Monster (Cetus) now shows finely, his head at α and γ, his paddles at ζ and τ. The Fishes (Pisces) are above; the Ram (Aries) above them and eastward, lying toward the southeast; then the Triangle (Triangula, or the Triangles, according to modern maps), and the Chained Lady (Andromeda) too nearly overhead to be very pleasantly observed. The great nebula in which the new star recently appeared is near the point overhead.

The grand giant Orion is rising in the east; above him the Bull (Taurus) with the Pleiades. Low down in the northeast the Twins (Gemini) are rising; above is the Charioteer (Auriga), and above him the Rescuing Knight (Perseus), "of fair-haired Danae born." The Camelopard is hardly worth noticing, except as marking a barren region of the heavens.

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