THE NORTHERN CONSTELLATIONS. 



54 < 



The GREAT BEAR, or " Charles's Wain," or the " Plough," as Ursa 

 Major is variously called, is of great value in indicating the pole star, which, 

 when once known, can never be mistaken. This constellation has also been 

 termed the " Dipper," and is very conspicuous in the northern hemisphere. 

 The three stars form the bear's tail, or the handle of the " plough " ; the 

 others form the body, Charles's Wain, or " Karl-Wagen," the German term 

 for peasant's cart, is represented by the quadrangle forming the cart, and 

 the other three stars are the horses. 



The " Pointers" are the two end stars, and if a line be followed north- 

 wards from them it will lead close to Polaris, the principal star in the lesser 

 bear. This pole star is of a very great brightness, and peeps out, almost 

 isolated, with a pure lustre. The names of the pointers are Dubhe and 

 Menak. The star at the tail-tip is Benetnasch, then Mizar and Alioth. 

 Megrez and Phad are the remaining pair. We append a rough outline of 

 the bear, for the information of those who have not yet noticed it. 



