James Ferguson (1710-1776), FRS, a very skilled maker of astronomical instruments and an effective popularizer of the science, wrote several works explaining the phenomenon of the transit of Venus for those with an avocational taste for natural philosophy. He also gave advice on observing and harvesting of data, encouraging his readers to take an active part in studying the phenomena of nature themselves. The plate reproduced here is from our Archives' copy of Astronomy Explained Upon Sir Isaac Newton's Principles..., 6th ed. (London: W. Strahan, J. Rivington and Sons, et al., 1778). Image ©RASC.