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Handbook of Nature-Study 



south and six steps up toward the north, the highest stair being reached by 

 the sun in June, for then the sun is highest in the heavens and the farthest 

 north. So beginning in June with Cancer, (the Crab) , which is high in the 

 heavens, it steps down to Leo, (the Lion) in July, takes another step lower 

 to the Virgin in August, another down to the Scorpion in September, and 

 comes to the lowest step of all, Sagittarius, (the Archer), in November; for 

 at the last of November, the sun's path reaches its lowest point farthest 

 south in the heavens and then the days are shortest. But in December it 

 begins to climb and takes a short step up to Capricornus, (the Goat), in 

 January it rises to Aquarius, (the Water Carrier), and in February rises 

 another step to Pisces, (the Fishes). In March it reaches up to Aries, (the 

 Ram), in April attains Taurus, (the Bull), and in May reaches Gemini, (the 

 Twins) , which step is almost as high and as near to the North Star as was 

 the Cancer, where the journey began the June before. 



It may be difficult for the pupils to learn to know all these constellations, 

 as some of them are not very well marked ; however, if they wish to learn 

 them they can do so by the use of the planisphere. Some of the Zodiac 

 constellations are marked by brilliant stars which have already been learned. 

 Regulus is the heart of Leo, the Lion ; Spica which means "ear" is the ear of 

 wheat which the Virgin is holding in the constellation Virgo. Red Antares 

 lies in the Scorpion; and the Milk Dipper, which is shaped like the Big 

 Dipper, but smaller, marks Sagittarius. Red Aldsbaran is the fiery eye of 

 Taurus, the Bull, while the Gemini, or Twins, are the most conspicuous of 

 the stars in the evening skies of February and March. It should be noted, 

 however, that at the present day, owing to the peculiar movement of our 

 earth, the path of the sun in climbing up and down these constellation 

 steps is not quite the same as it seemed to the ancients. 



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From Todd's New Astronomy. 



