76 THE HAMILTON ASSOCIATION. 
onto meridian adopted as the basis of tabulation, as it is in Toronto 
our observatory is located. 
11. Declination is the distance of the heavenly bodies from the 
equator north or south, viz., north of the equator or south of the 
equator. 
12. Orit is the planet’s path in the sky in its revolution round 
the sun. . 
13. Apogee is the point of a planet’s orbit farthest from the sun. 
14. Perigee is the nearest point of a planet’s orbit to the sun. 
15. /Vodes are the opposite points of a planet where its orbit 
cuts the ecliptic or the earth’s orbit. 
16. Radius Victor is a line drawn from a planet to the sun, 
wherever the planet may be. 
Having made a few statements ze the science of Astronomy it- 
self, and given a few words of a historic character and some of the 
more important definitions, I would like to say a few words to begin- 
ners regarding what books to read, how to proceed in the study of 
Astronomy and a few hints on observation. 
As to books, they are numerous. But I would advise the use 
of very elementary works to begin with, such as ‘‘The Story of the 
Solar System,” by Geo. F. Chambers, a book I think which sells for 
35 cents; “Solar System,” by Thos. Dick, L.L. D., an old book of 
course, but delightful for beginners; ‘‘ The Story of the Stars,” by 
Geo. F. Chambers ; “ Popular Astronomy,” by Flammarion & Gore ; 
‘“‘ Half Hours in Air and Sky, or Marvels of the Universe,” published 
by James Nisbet & Co., of London, and “Star Maps,” by Proctor. 
I mention these simply for beginners, for those more advanced there 
are many valuable works, such as Newcomb & Holden, Chambers, 
Airy, Lockyer, Lardner, Peck Herschet, etc., etc. 
As to the manner of procedure first of all master the 
Copernican System, get a good knowledge of the definitions and 
terms used, and the orbits of the planets, in fact I would say confine 
yourselves almost to the Solar System till you know the planets, their 
motions, orbits and attendants. After this, then take the study of 
say the sun, then the moon, or the moon first if you choose, then 
the individual planets and stars. 
Now a few hints on observation : 
First of all a telescope. A telescope of even 21% or 3-inch 
