225. The Tables of the Equation of natural days, at the end of the next Chapter, shew the time that ought to be pointed out by a well regulated clock or watch every day of the year at the precise moment of solar noon; that is, when the Sun’s centre is on the Meridian, or when a true Sun-dial shews it to be precisely Twelve. Thus, on the 5th of _January_ in Leap-year, when the Sun is on the Meridian, it ought to be 5 minutes 51 seconds past twelve by the clock; and on the 15th of _May_, when the Sun is on the Meridian, the time by the clock should be but 55 minutes 57 seconds past eleven; in the former case, the clock is 5 minutes 51 seconds beforehand with the Sun; and in the latter case, the Sun is 4 minutes 3 seconds faster than the clock. The column at the right hand of each month shews the daily difference of this equation, as it increases or decreases. But without a Meridian Line, or a Transit-Instrument fixed in the plane of the Meridian, we cannot set a Sun-dial true. [Sidenote: How to draw a Meridian Line.] 226. The easiest and most expeditious way of drawing a Meridian Line is this: Make four or five concentric Circles, about a quarter of an inch from one another, on a flat board about a foot in breadth; and let the outmost Circle be but little less than the board will contain. Fix a pin perpendicularly in the center, and of such a length that it’s whole shadow may fall within the innermost Circle for at least four hours in the middle of the day. The pin ought to be about an eighth part of an inch thick, with a round blunt point. The board being set exactly level in a place where the Sun shines, suppose from eight in the morning till four in the afternoon, about which hours the end of the shadow should fall without all the Circles; watch the times in the forenoon, when the extremity of the shortening shadow just touches the several Circles, and _there_ make marks. Then, in the afternoon of the same day, watch the lengthening shadow, and where it’s end touches the several Circles in going over them, make marks also. Lastly, with a pair of compasses, find exactly the middle point between the two marks on any Circle, and draw a straight line from the center to that point; which Line will be covered at noon by the shadow of a small upright wire, which should be put in the place of the pin. The reason for drawing several Circles is, that in case one part of the day should prove clear, and the other part somewhat cloudy, if you miss the time when the point of the shadow should touch one Circle, you may perhaps catch it in touching another. The best time for drawing a Meridian Line in this manner is about the middle of summer; because the Sun changes his Declination slowest and his Altitude fastest in the longest days.