Richard A. Proctor

“ Below the Little Bear we find Cepheus low down to the east of north, and Cassiopeia low down to the west of north. Perseus, the Rescuer, is setting in the northwest; the Camelopard is above, trying to get on his feet.
The Charioteer (Auriga) , with the bright Capella, is nearing the northwestern horizon, followed by the Twins (Gemini) , in the west. Further west and higher we find the Crab (Cancer) , below which is the Little Dog (Canis Minor) .
The southwestern sky is very barren of bright stars. Alfard, the heart of the Sea Serpent, Hydra, shines here alone in a great blank space. ”

“ The River (Eridanus) occupies the southeasterly sky. The Dove and Great Dog (Columba and Canis Major) are rising in the southeast. The glorious Orion has now come well into view, though not yet so upright as we could wish a knightly hunter to be. ”

“ Each exhibits the aspect of the whole sky at a given day and hour. The circumference of the map represents the natural horizon, the middle of the map representing the part of the sky which lies immediately overhead. If the learner hold one of these maps over his head, so as to look vertically upwards at it, the different parts of the horizon marked in round the circumference being turned towards the proper compass points, he will see the same view of the heavens as he would if he were to lie on his back and look upwards at the sky, only that the map is a planisphere and the sky a hemisphere. ”

“ The Guardians of the Pole (β and γ of the Little Bear, Ursa Minor) lie in a direction from the pole star corresponding to that of the minute hand of a clock about 22 minutes before an hour. Between the Pointers and Pole Star lies the tip of the Dragon's Tail. Sweeping around the Little Bear (Ursa Minor) we find the stars of the Dragon (Draco) curving back by the star δ to the Dragon's Head, with the two bright eyes, γ and β. Above is the inconspicuous constellation Cepheus; and somewhat higher, the stars of Cassiopeia, α and β, marking the top rail of the Seated Lady's Chair. ”

“ The Camelopard (Camelopardus) is above. The Dragon (Draco) , whose head is below the horizon, curves round the Little Bear to between the Guardians and the Pointers. In the northwest, fairly high up, we find Cassiopeia, the Seated Lady, and on her right, lower down, the inconspicuous constellation Cephius. Andromeda, the Chained Lady, is on Cassiopeia's left. The Great Nebula will be noticed in the map—it is faintly visible to the naked eye. ”

“ Page 1 INTRODUCTION ON THE USE OF THE MAPS. It is very easy to gain a knowledge of the stars, if the learner sets to work in the proper manner. But he commonly meets with a difficulty at the outset of his task. ”