Westward from Cassiopeia, directly over the pole, and lying athwart the meridian, is the constellation of Cepheus, the King, less conspicuous than that of his queen, Cassiopeia, but equally ancient. Its leading star, Alpha (α), also called Alderamin, the “Right Arm,” is a candidate for the great office of Pole-star, which it will occupy in about 5500 years. Beta (β), the second in rank, is named Alfirk, the “Flock” or “Herd.” If you are sweeping here with an opera-glass you will perceive, about half-way between Alpha (α) and Zeta (ζ), a small star which will at once arrest your attention by its color. It is the celebrated “Garnet Star” of Sir William Herschel, who was greatly impressed by its brilliant hue, declaring it to be the most deeply colored star that the naked eye can find in the sky. But its color is not so striking unless a glass be used. Low down in the north-northwest we see the Great Dipper, above it the coiling form and diamond head of Draco, and then, still higher, the Northern Cross and Vega, bright as a jewel. Hercules and the Northern Crown are near setting in the northwest. FOOTNOTES: [1] The reader who is curious concerning such matters is advised to consult a paper by Dr. Louis Bell on “Star Colors,” in the _Astrophysical Journal_ (vol. xxi, No. 3, April, 1910). Dr. Bell’s experiments with artificial stars seem to show that physiological effects play a great part in producing the pronounced colors of the small stars in many telescopic doubles. The paper is very interesting, especially in its description of a startling imitation of the singular cluster, Kappa (κ) Crucis, which Sir John Herschel described as resembling a gorgeous piece of colored jewelry. But, whatever part physiological optics may play in the phenomena of colored doubles, it is certain that many single stars, including some of great magnitude, possess distinctive tints. Compare, for instance, Castor and Pollux or Rigel and Betelgeuse. Aldebaran and Betelgeuse are both reddish, yet the color tones that they exhibit are clearly different. IV THE EVENING SKY AT THE WINTER SOLSTICE