STAR-CLUSTERS AND GROUPS. 
147 
light is in composition the same as that of the sun. 
Men versed in star lore have the confidence, as Mr. 
Chambers suggests in his very readable Story of the 
Solar System, to say— 
“ Twinkle, twinkle, little star. 
Now we’ve found out what you are. 
When unto the midnight sky 
We the spectroscope apply.” 
STAR-CLUSTERS AND GROUPS. 
N^o one can long look at the sky on a clear night 
without observing the fact that the stars are in many 
parts grouped together in a cluster. These groups 
attracted the attention of the most ancient observers, 
for the oldest records mention them. 
The one that is sure to be seen is a cluster of six 
visible stars in the shoulder of the constellation Taurus; 
they are called the Pleiades. The mythology con¬ 
nected with them is entertaining, and may be found in 
almost any encyclopedia. It is claimed that formerly 
seven stars were visible, and that one has since disap¬ 
peared. Good eyes can see seven or eight; one lady 
claims to have seen twelve ; a photograph reveals more 
than two hundred in the group. 
Another cluster is known as the Hyades, meaning 
the raining. The ancient scientists connected them 
with the rainy season which began about the time of 
the year when the sun rose with the Hyades. This 
cluster is in the shape of a V, and forms the head 
of Taurus. 
Many of the stars that appear to be single are 
