110 
NATURE STUDY. 
drawn from living plants. The variety is “obliquum ” and the 
botanical name is “ Botrychium ternatum obliquum,” meaning 
literally that grape fern which has ternate leaves in which the 
sides of the lobes are oblique (not parallel). The application 
of the varietal name “ obliquum ” is not always obvious. 
How to Find the Constellations. VI. 
BY GEORGE I. HOPKINS. 
In answer to some inquiries it must be stated that these direc¬ 
tions for locating the constellations are for latitude 43 ° north. 
If the observer’s latitude does not differ from this more than 
two or three degrees then no allowance need be made. If it be 
more than three degrees different, then corresponding differen¬ 
ces will need be made when distances from horizon or zenith 
have been given. For instance, if the altitude of a certain group 
of stars was given as 30° above the southern horizon, and the 
latitude of the observer is only 35 0 north then the altitude of 
that group above his southern horizon will be 8° more, i. e. 38° 
while if he be in latitude 50° north then the altitude of that 
group will be 7 0 less, or 23 0 . Similar changes must be made 
respecting the zenith distance. 
The first group to which the observer’s attention is directed 
this month is nearly due west, at an altitude of about 45 0 and is 
in the shape of a large Latin cross situated directly in the milky 
way, its longest piece being perpendicular to the horizon. This 
is the distinguishing group of the Constellation Cygnus, the Swan. 
The uppermost star in this group is called D neb and is of the 
second magnitude. According to the British Catalogue this 
consellation contains 81 stars, whereas 107 is claimed by the 
author of the following lines. 
“ Thee, silver Swan, who, silent can o’erpass? 
A hundred with seven radiant stars compose 
Thy graceful form; amid the lucid stream 
Of the fair Milky-Way distinguished; one 
Adorns the second order, where she cuts 
The waves that follow in her inmost track; 
This never hides its fire throughout the night, 
And of the rest, the more conspicuous mark 
Her snowy pinions and refulgent neck.” — Eudosia. 
