[332] De Reus—the Giant, as the constellation Orion is called, after the Arabic El-djebbâr. The star Bellatrix γ Orionis, which was here observed, is usually said to be in the left shoulder. It depends, however, upon which way “the Giant” is considered as looking. The exact declination of this star for the end of the year 1596 is + 5° 58′,4 N.; so that, after allowing 2′,6 for refraction, the complement of the height of the Pole is 14° 17′, and the height of the Pole is 75° 43′.
It is not possible for Betelgeuze, (α) in the right shoulder of Orion, to have been the star observed; for the latitude resulting from it would be upwards of 79°. [↑]
[334] De onuytspreklijcke ondraechelijcke coude—the inexpressible, intolerable cold. [↑]
[336] Een joopen vat met water—a spruce-beer cask full of water. [↑]
[337] Stopten eerst alle de gaten dicht toe—first closely stopped all the holes. [↑]