The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-03-01
ltails of the moons Inhabitants aud physical

aSpeCtH.
This was substantially the work of the
first nights observation. On the second,
the following graphic picture of what
gazing upon the shores of nm inland lake,
we were thrilled with astonishment to see
four successive flocks of large-winged crea-
lures, wholly unlike any kind Of birds,
descend with slow, even motion from the
cliffs, and light upon the plain below.
They averaged four feet in height, were
covered, except on the face, with short
and glossy copper. colored hair, and had
wings composed OF thin membrane without
hair, lying snugly upon their backs from
the top of the shoulder to the calves
Of their legs. The face, which was OF n
yellow flesh.eolor, was slight improve
ment Of the large orang.outang, being more
opened and intelligent, and having a much
greater expansion of forehead. The mouth,
however. was very prominent, though
lower jaw and by lips far more human of
the Simd genus. In general symmetry OF
body and limbs they were greatly superior
to the orang-outang; so much SO that but
for their long wing they would look as
we'll OH parade ground ,as some Of the
old cockney militia The hair on the
head was of darker color than that OF
the body, closely curled, but apparently
not woolly, and arranged in two curl.
Gus semi-circles over the temples. Their
feet could only be seen Us they were alter
natelY lifted in walking; but, from what
we could see of them in SO transient a
view, they appeared thin and very .protu.
berant at the heel. They were engaged in
earnest conversation evidently, to judge
from their geStculation and the emphatic
action of their hands, from which they
.'were presumed to be rational beings"
Some OF them hid crossed the water and
were lying like spread-eaeles on the edge
of the wood. In this attitude their wings
spread out like those of 4 bat, and were
composed of q Seml-transpareDt membrane,
expanded in curviliuear divisions by means
OF straight radii united at the back by the
dorsal integuments. The narrative di-.
creetiy adds: "Cur further observation OF
the habit of these creatures, who were OF
both sexes, led to results so very remarka.
BILE that they should be first laid before the
public in DIR. Herschels own work, to be
issued at some future day."
SO the narrative continues ut great
length, describing mountains, meadows,
rivers, lakes, and animals Of all kinds, and
birds of all forms and feathers on the sur.
face Of the moon, and monsters Of the deep
III ilS w LCl uIlu luC SLh-
orally accepted conhgurations of the moons
surface were followed just closely enough
to impress and delight the ignorant and
confound and amaze the educated and in.
crcduous. The various portions of the
moon were subdivided into physical sec.
tions, with appropriate names Tor rivers,
lakes, islands, oceans, continents, and
general geographical divisions. Even
geologic and atmospheric phenomena
were described in the minutes de-
tail and enthusiasm. Temples of vast
proportions and wondrous architecture
were described, with partial pictures of the
rites ani devotions of the curious people
inhabiting the valley Of the moon. Here
the people were of larger stature than those
| before encountered. Their chief occupa
ton seemed to be banqueting, and theil
customs were, to speak mildly, unique
The story appeared at time when the
scientific world was keenly alive to astro
nomic investigations when the great Her
schel had announced various novel discov
cries, and when people IN this country hat
been led to expect destructive current
| which was to Shatter our earth to frag
| ments. Intelligence from the Cape Of Goot
Hope could not be obtained for year, and
incredible as it appears, half the American
people believed the preposterous story true