_The Dumb-bell Nebula_ (M. 27). Discovered by Messier in 1779, and situated in Vulpecula—a region very rich in small stars. Diameter about 7′ or 8′. Its general form resembles a dumb-bell or hour-glass; hence its name. Struve, Lord Rosse, and others have seen many stars in the nebulous mass, but the latter is not resolvable. I have seen seven stars in the nebula with a 10-inch reflector. Its peculiar shape is perceptible in a small instrument. This object frequently serves to illustrate books on Astronomy; but the drawings by Sir J. Herschel, Lord Rosse, and others are curiously discordant, and show how greatly differences in telescopic power may affect the observed appearance of an object. _The Ring-Nebula in Lyra_ (M. 57). Discovered by Messier between the stars β and γ Lyræ. Diameter 80″ by 60″. This object is bright, though rather small, and it will stand high powers. The dark centre may possibly be glimpsed in a 3-inch refractor; I have seen it readily in a 4-1/4-inch. It was at one period thought to be resolvable, but the spectroscope has negatived the idea, and shown it probably consists of nitrogen gas. A small star near the centre was frequently seen in Lord Rosse’s telescope; but the 36-inch refractor at Mount Hamilton reveals twelve stars projected on or within the ring, and several others have been suspected. There is a faint star exterior to the ring, and following it; this is visible in small telescopes. The space within the ring is not quite dark, and the structure of the nebula is somewhat complicated as seen in large instruments. Another fine instance of an annular nebula may be found 3° preceding the 4th mag. star 41 Cygni, but it is not so large or conspicuous as that in Lyra. Its diameter is 47″ by 41″. Several stars were seen sparkling in it by Lord Rosse, who found the centre was filled with faint light and the N. side of the ring broadest and brightest.