The several Radii drawn through the points 1, 2, 3, represent the direction of the vertical at these points, and the angles which these Radii produced, make with the rays of starlight are each equal to the angular distance of the star from the zenith of the place at the moment the star crosses the meridian.
"A Text-Book of Astronomy"
George C. Comstock
With a hemicircle of sufficient size, one might plot all of the hundreds upon hundreds of these Radii, and each would represent a distinct line, if only a heron's width apart.
"Edge of the Jungle"
William Beebe
In the centre was a pole, on the top of which flourished the Mexican eagle, with outspread wings, holding in his beak a scroll with the appropriate motto, "Viva la Republica de Yucatan," and strings extended like Radii to different parts of the boxes, wrapped with cut and scolloped papers fluttering in the wind.
"Incidents of Travel in Yucatan, Vol. I."
John L. Stephens