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النشر الإلكتروني

THE KEW YE PUBLIC LINEA

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should be kept in view for a considerable time, that the eye may acquire the habit of seeing such objects distinctly. The observer may next proceed to the beautiful triple star in Monoceros; by this time, both the eye and the telescope will be in a measure prepared for a still finer picture, which is n in Corona Borealis.

THE NEBULA IN THE SWORD-HANDLE OF ORION.
Orion's beams! Orion's beams!

His star-gemmed belt, and shining blade;
His isles of light, his silvery streams,

And gloomy gulfs of mystic shade.

The most remarkable nebula in the heavens, is that in the sword-handle of Orion. (See the engraving). Its irregularity of form suggests a resemblance to the head of a monstrous animal, with two horns of unequal lengths making a considerable angle with each other, the lower one having an easterly direction; an unequal brilliancy occurs throughout, as though one part was formed of accumulated luminous matter assuming, in some places the appearance of solidity: those parts which mark the outline of the mouth and eye of the fancied animal, may be better described by comparing them to deep indented bays, nearly of a quadrangular figure, well defined, and by its brightness, giving an intensity to the darkness of the sky that it surrounds, which in these openings (probably by contrast) appears of an unusual blackness. The brightest part has by no means a uniform aspect, but exhibits an unevenness, not unlike fleecy clouds, of a cirrus or mottled appearance, as if undergoing some change of separation. This bright region in some directions is abruptly terminated, and beyond it is seen a

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