PLEASURES OF THE TELESCOPE. 



301 



of ninth-magnitude stars that it contains. We should use the 

 five-inch for all of these. 



Canis Minor and the Head of Hydra are also contained on map 

 No. 3. Procyon, a of Canis Minor, has several minute stars in the 

 same field of view. There 

 is, besides, an invisible com- 

 panion which no telescope 

 has yet revealed, but which 

 must be of immense mass, 

 since its attraction causes 

 perceptible perturbations in 

 the motion of Procyon. 

 One of the small stars just 

 referred to, the second one 

 east of Procyon, distant one 

 third of the moon's diame- 

 ter, is an interesting double. 

 Our four-inch may separate 

 it, and the five-inch is cer- 

 tain to do so. The magni- 

 tudes are seventh and seven 

 and a half or eighth, distance 1'2", p. 133. This star is variously 

 named 2 1126 and 31 Can. Min. Bode. Star No. 14 is a wide 

 triple, magnitudes sixth, seventh, and eighth, distances 75", p. 65, 

 and 115", ji. 154. 



In the Head of Hydra we find 2 1345, a double of sixth and 

 seventh magnitudes, distance 10'5", p. 25. The larger star shows 

 a fine yellow. In e we have a beautiful combination of a yellow 

 with a blue star, magnitudes fourth and eighth, distance 3*4", p. 

 198. Finally, let us look at 6 for a light test with the five-inch. 

 The two stars composing it are of the fourth and twelfth mag- 

 nitudes, distance 50", p. 170. 



The brilliant constellations of Gemini and Taurus tempt us 

 next, but warning clouds are gathering, and we shall do well to 

 house our telescopes and warm our fingers by the winter fire. 

 There will be other bright nights, and the stars are lasting. 



Procyon and its Neighbors. 



BucKLAND, when traveling, could never pass a quarry^'without stopping and 

 examining it. On one journey the raare he rode "soon learned her duty, and 

 seemed to take an interest in her master's pursuits; for she would remain quiet, 

 without any one to hold her, while he was examining sections and strata, and 

 then patiently suhmit to be loaded with the specimens collected. Ultimately 

 she became so accustomed to the work that she invariably came to a full 

 stop at a stone quarry, and nothing would persuade her to proceed until the 

 rider had got off and examined, or, if a stranger to her, pretended to examine, 

 the quarry." 



