64
THE BEAUTY OF THE HEAVENS.
The constellations of the zodiac are twelve in number, and contain nearly1200 stars. They are situated in the following order :—
Aries .the Ram, contains. 42 stars.
Taurus. . . . the Bull.207
Gemini. . . . the Twins. 83
Cancer .... the Crab . 85
Leo .the Lion. 93
Virgo .... the Virgin.117
Libra .the Balance. 06
Scorpio . . . the Scorpion. 00
Sagittarius. . the Archer. 94
Aquarius. . . the Water-bearer.117
Pisces .... the Fishes.110
We have now to point out the relative situations of the constellations, inorder to be able to find them when occasion requires, and to examine themseparately, so as to become acquainted with, at least, the principal starsindividually.
There is no particular constellation, or star, in the heavens, so remarkablein its appearance, or so singularly situated with respect to the rest, as to entitleit to the distinction of being first described; but as the constellation UrsaMajor, or the Greater Bear, is always above our horizon, and because it is oneof the most conspicuous constellations in our hemisphere, and, to a certainextent, popularly known even to persons ignorant of astronomy, we shalldescribe it in the first place, and employ it, as a base or standard, from whichto trace out the rest. A glance at the scene before us, and a subsequent refe-rence to the separate constellations which form a collection of auxiliary scenesto it, will afford a first and general idea of the subject. A highly useful exten-sion of the knowledge thus gained, may be obtained by following, what istermed, the method of the alignment of the stars. This consists, simply, indetermining the place of a star that is required, by drawing an imaginary straightline through two others that are already known. In the practice of this methodit is useful to take a thread in the hands, and, holding it up, to stretch it, andmake it apparently cover the known stars ; a prolongation of the straight lineformed by the thread, will be then an index, or pointer, to the star sought.
Scene No. XXIV.— The Constellation Ursa Major.
The constellation Ursa Major is composed, at first sight, of seven conspi-cuous stars, four of which are disposed in a rectangular figure, and form thebody of the animal; while three others, arranged in a slight curve, which is anextension of the imaginary upper line, form the tail. The two large stars