Bootes, which comes next, is easily found by means of Arcturus, a star of the first magnitude, of a reddish color, which is situated near the knee of the figure. Arcturus is accompanied by three small stars, forming a triangle a little to the southwest. Two bright stars, Gamma and Delta Bootis, form the shoulders, and Beta, of the third magnitude, is in the head, of the figure.
Corona Borealis, (the Crown,) which is situated east of Bootes, is very easily recognised, composed as it is of a semicircle of bright stars. In the centre of the bright crown is a star of the second magnitude, called Gemma: the remaining stars are all much smaller.
Hercules, lying between the Crown on the west and the Lyre on the east, is very thickly set with stars, most of which are quite small. This constellation covers a great extent of the sky, especially from north to south, the head terminating within fifteen degrees of the equator, and marked by a star of the third magnitude, called Ras Algethi, which is the largest in the constellation.
Ophiucus is situated directly south of Hercules, extending some distance on both sides of the equator, the feet resting on the Scorpion. The head terminates near the head of Hercules, and, like that, is marked by a bright star within five degrees of Alpha Herculis Ophiucus is represented as holding in his hands the Serpent, the head of which, consisting of three bright stars, is situated a little south of the Crown. The folds of the serpent will be easily followed by a succession of bright stars, which extend a great way to the east.
Aquila (the Eagle) is conspicuous for three bright stars in its neck, of which the central one, Altair, is a very brilliant white star of the first magnitude. Antinous lies directly south of the Eagle, and north of the head of Capricornus.
Delphinus (the Dolphin) is a small but beautiful constellation, a few degrees east of the Eagle, and is characterized by four bright stars near to one another, forming a small rhombic square. Another star of the same magnitude, five degrees south, makes the tail.
Pegasus lies between Aquarius on the southwest and Andromeda on the northeast. It contains but few large stars. A very regular square of bright stars is composed of Alpha Andromedæ and the three largest stars in Pegasus; namely, Scheat, Markab, and Algenib. The sides composing this square are each about fifteen degrees. Algenib is situated in the equinoctial colure.
We may now review the Constellations which surround the north pole, within the circle of perpetual apparition.
Ursa Minor (the Little Bear) lies nearest the pole. The pole-star, Polaris, is in the extremity of the tail, and is of the third magnitude. Three stars in a straight line, four degrees or five degrees apart, commencing with the pole-star, lead to a trapezium of four stars, and the whole seven form together a dipper,—the trapezium being the body and the three stars the handle.
Ursa Major (the Great Bear) is situated between the pole and the Lesser Lion, and is usually recognised by the figure of a larger and more perfect dipper which constitutes the hinder part of the animal. This has also seven stars, four in the body of the Dipper and three in the handle. All these are stars of much celebrity. The two in the western side of the Dipper, Alpha and Beta, are called Pointers, on account of their always being in a right line with the pole-star, and therefore affording an easy mode of finding that. The first star in the tail, next the body, is named Alioth, and the second, Mizar. The head of the Great Bear lies far to the westward of the Pointers, and is composed of numerous small stars; and the feet are severally composed of two small stars very near to each other.