THE STARRY HEAVENS IN JANUARY 



271 



above this are Orion, Taurus and 

 Gemini, the brightest groups of all, 

 and still higher is the very brilliant 

 Capella, now almost exactly in the 

 zenith. 



Now is the best time of the year 

 to trace out the winding River, a long 



Figure3. From a photograph of Encke's comet taken 

 October 30. The plate was moved to^ follow. the comet 

 during- the exposure. As this was moving in the direction 

 of the arrow the stars in the vicinity were photographed as 

 bright lines on the plate. The great length of these trails 

 indicates the very rapid motion of the comet. 



constellation whose beginning is 

 marked by a brilliant first magnitude 

 star, too near the South Pole to be seen 

 in our latitudes, and which flows up- 

 ward to the Rigel of Orion, which 

 marks the south of the stream. 

 Crouching at the feet of Orion is the 

 interesting group of stars known as 

 the Hare, while below this is the Dove, 

 both of which figures, lying so far 

 south of the equator, are now in their 

 most favorable position for observation. 

 In the western borders of Lepus is the 

 remarkable crimson star known as 

 Hind's Variable, and, in fact, this 

 whole region is filled with beautiful 

 double stars and other objects of in- 

 terest to the possessor of a small tele- 

 scope. 



Astronomy, One of the Cleanest and 

 Purest of Sciences. 



To know astronomy as it should be 

 known, at least a small telescope is 

 required. Yet even with unaided eyes 

 much of interest may be seen, but stil£ 

 more with a field glass. The writer has- 

 recently carefully investigated tele- 

 scopes, and has become convinced that 

 the instrument may be procured with 

 advantage from W. Watson & Sons, 

 Ltd., London. 



Our readers may think that the pres- 

 ent time is not favorable for import- 

 ing a telescope from England, but upon 

 careful investigation we have ascer- 

 tained that the war will make no dif- 

 ference with the firm of W. Watson & 

 Sons, Ltd., in the matter of astronom- 

 ical telescopes. They have a good sup- 

 ply on hand. The risk of shipment is 

 slight because this is borne by the 

 British Government on all British 

 ships at a nominal sum, varying from 

 time to time, but at present amounting 

 to only about two per cent, of the value. 

 It is not a difficult thing to import a 

 telescope. There is a satisfaction in 

 having one especially imported for the 

 user. The duty is about forty per cent., 

 but telescopes may be brought into the 

 country duty free, if for the use of edu- 

 cational institutions. 



Our readers are cordially invited, 

 even urged, to address this London 

 firm for catalogue and full particulars. 

 Note the low prices. A three-inch tele- 

 scope may be obtained for only eighty- 

 seven dollars and sixty-six cents. See 

 other prices in their advertisement. 

 These telescopes are first-class in every 

 respect and afford our readers a rare 

 opportunity to obtain a good instru- 

 ment at a moderate price. 



For killing ants in lawns is recom- 

 mended potassium cyanide, a half 

 ounce to two gallons of water, 

 sprinkled with a watering pot on the 

 hills. 



Water Lilies. 



There are pearls of price on the lake's calm 

 breast, 

 With a glint of gold where they flash in 

 the sun ; 

 In their emerald setting, what royal gems 

 Can compete with these, ere their race be 

 run? 



Emma Peirce. 



The suggestion comes from New 

 South Wales that the Australian opos- 

 sum might with profit be introduced 

 into the United States. The creature, 

 which is verv different from our opos- 

 sum, is readily domesticated and yields 

 both a palatable flesh and a valuable 

 fur. 



