***For the names of the stars, corresponding to the above lettering, refer to the list at p.

10.

irent Brooks Day & So

SEPTEMBER

HALF-HOUR WITH THE STARS IN SEPTEMBER.

19

MAP IX.

The Great BEAR is now passing towards the north, and getting low down. The pointers are to the right of the seven stars, and the pole-star lies above them and towards the right.

The

The Guardians of the Pole are to the left of, and scarcely higher than, the pole-star. Dragon passes between the two Bears towards the west, his head being still high above the horizon. Coma Berenices is setting between north-west and west-north-west. Boötes has passed the west, and forms a fine figure above that part of the horizon. The Northern Crown, with the brilliant Alphecca, is due west, about midway between the horizon and the point overhead.

Above the Crown are the feet of Hercules. His head and shoulders are to the left of the Crown, and at about the same height above the horizon. The Serpent lies between the shoulders of Hercules and the horizon. On the left is Ophiuchus large' towards the south-west, and extending from the horizon halfway to the point overhead. The brilliant Vega lies towards the same quarter, but much higher up.

Aquila is due south, Altair being about midway between the horizon and the point overhead. Close to the horizon, and extending from south-south-west to south, is Sagittarius. Next to him on the left is Capricornus, and next to that again is Aquarius, now covering a wide range of sky between Capricornus and Pegasus. In the zenith is Cygnus, the upright and cross-rod of the cross being now about equally inclined to the horizon. The square of Pegasus has passed the east, the left-hand star being still Alpherat, and Andromeda still in a horizontal position. Cassiopeia is in the northeast, and raised somewhat more than halfway from the horizon towards the point overhead.

Below Andromeda, Aries has fully risen; and towards the north-east, low down, we see the Pleiades again. Between them and Cassiopeia lies Perseus. It is well to notice this constellation while in its present position, and also the richness of the background of milky light in this neighbourhood. The whole of this part of the heavens is full of beauty, and contrasts strangely with the barren region close by, between the north point of the horizon and Cassiopeia.

Auriga is rising above the north-north-east horizon, and Capella is beginning to scintillate less brilliantly as it rises above the denser strata of the atmosphere.

HALF-HOUR WITH THE STARS IN OCTOBER.

MAP X.

THE GREAT BEAR is low down towards the north-north-west; the pole-star lying above and very little to the right of the pointers.

The Guardians of the Pole are now below the pole-star on the left, and almost exactly midway between the horizon and the point overhead. The Dragon passes between the two Bears, and round to the left of the Guardians of the Pole. His head is towards the west-north-west, high up above the horizon.

Cor Caroli is approaching the horizon, and Boötes is already half set. So also is Serpens in the But Corona is still well raised above the west-north-west horizon. Hercules is in the west, but extends over a wide range from side to side. Vega is due west, and high above the horizon, the stars and y lying to the left at about the same height. Also at about the same height is the star B of the Swan, and the cross of Cygnus is now upright again, Arided lying near the point overhead.

Altair is in the south-west, raised somewhat less than halfway from the horizon towards the point overhead. Below Aquila is Sagittarius. Next, to the left and somewhat higher, is Capricornus; and, next, Aquarius in the south.

A noted star, Fomalhaut, the most southerly first-magnitude star ever seen in this country, is now visible towards the east of south, and very low down. It is the chief star of the Southern Fish, a constellation not to be confounded with the southernmost of the Fishes.

The square of Pegasus is towards the south-east, raised high above the horizon. Alpherat is still the most easterly star of the square, and Andromeda is still horizontal, though now well raised above the eastern horizon.

The sea-monster, Cetus, covers a wide range of the sky, low down towards the east-southeastern horizon. The limits of the constellation, indeed, as defined by astronomers, extend from the east to the south-south-east.

Aries is in the east, about halfway between Andromeda and the horizon.

Taurus has now risen in the east-north-east, Aldeboran, the brightest red star in the heavens, scintillating brilliantly low down towards the horizon.

Above the head and horns of Taurus, is Perseus, and immediately above Perseus, raised threequarters of the way from the horizon towards the point overhead, is Cassiopeia, the W now almost on end, and having the points towards the right.

Auriga has now risen in the north-east, Capella being almost exactly in that quarter, and raised somewhat more than one-fourth of the way towards the point overhead.

Castor is just rising between the north-east and north-north-east.

THE SKY.

"For the names of the stars, corresponding to the above lettering, refer to the list at p.10.

Vincert rocks D

Western Horizon