CHAPTER IV.
A HALF-HOUR WITH BOOTES, SCORPIO, OPHIUCHUS, ETC.
We now commence a series of observations suited to the third quarter of the year, and to the following hours:--Ten o'clock on the 22nd of July; nine on the 8th of August; eight on the 23rd of August; seven on the 8th of October; and intermediate hours on days intermediate to these.
We look first for the Great Bear towards the north-west, and thence find the Pole-star.

Turning towards the north we see Capella and [beta] Aurigae low down and slightly towards the left of the exact north point.
The Milky Way crosses the horizon towards the north-north-east and passes to the opposite point of the compass, attaining its highest point above the horizon towards east-south-east.

This part of the Milky Way is well worth observing, being marked by singular variations of brilliancy.
Near Arided (the principal star of Cygnus, and now lying due east--some twenty-five degrees from the zenith) there is seen a straight dark rift, and near this space is another larger cavity, which has been termed the northern Coal-sack.

The space between [gamma], [delta], and [beta] Cygni is covered by a large oval mass, exceedingly rich and brilliant.

The neighbouring branch, extending from [epsilon] Cygni, is far less conspicuous here, but near Sagitta becomes brighter than the other, which in this neighbourhood suddenly loses its brilliancy and fading gradually beyond this point becomes invisible near [beta] Ophiuchi.
The continuous stream becomes patchy--in parts very brilliant--where it crosses Aquila and Clypeus.