The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1874-06-17
rAors Aaour rHE aro0x.


in diameter, or about fourth of that Of the
earth. Rotating on its axis, it rcvolves round
the earth in the same measure Of time, that is
twenty-seven days and a <quarter, In other
words, its rotatory motion is twenty-seven
and half times slower thanthat of the earth.
In consequence of the rotatory motion on its
axis and its revolution round the earth coin
Gliding, the moon always presents the same
side to us. The sun, however, lights it up on
both sides. AT times we are able to see a
little more than one side-as much as four
seventies Of its surface-Tthe attitude of the
moon in relation to the earth letting us, as it
were, look round the edge. This pleno-
menon, which was traced by Calico to its
true cause, is explained as follows: The
centre of motion of the moon being the centre
Of the earth, it is clear that an observer on
the surface, of the latter looks down upon the
rising moon as from an eminence, and thus he
is enabled to see more or less over or around
her. As themoon increases in altitude, the
line Of sight gradually becomes parallel to
the line joining the observer and the centre
of the earth, andsa length he looks her full
in the face he loses the full view, and
catches another side-facc view as she nears
the horizon in setting" These changes in
the pointlof view greatly facilitated the tax
ing of pictorial photographs of the moons
surface.
These photographs can, of course, be exc
cuted only in calm and clear atmosphere,
when the moon is at the full, and to wait for
such opportunities great patience is required.
If all other circumstances be favorable, the
atmosphere is partly cleared by The action OF
the moon, for it's rays, though ordinarily des-
cribed as cold--'' the cold chaste moon y"
partake in small degree of the best sunshine,
and accordingly exert dispersive influence
on the clouds. A succession of clear MOON
light nights is known to farmers to have a
ripening effect on grain.
Looked at even with u naked eye, the moon
is not a uniformly clear body. It has dusky
and light spots, signifying that it has an IL
regular surface. The dusky portions, which
collectively cover about two-thirds of its disc,
were at one time considered TO be seas, and
such they are sometimes still called. Close
examination by powerful telescopes shows
that these sea like spaces are only plains, on
which there arc comparatively few promin-
cnces to reflect the SUMS light. The features
of the moons disc which rivct attention are
proninences mostly in the shape of circular
craters of volcanoes, some Of vast dimensions
and many of small size. Besides these
circular markings, which, SO to speak, give
pock- pittcd appearance to the whole surface
there are stretches of rugged and picturesque
mountains of great altitude, all seemingly of
volcanic origin. The circular crater-form
markings are diverse in character. III some
cases they appear as if GROWING mountain
heaps Of ashes and cinders, in the manner of
Etna and Vesuvius in other instances, where
the edges of the craters do not rise high
above the plains, the volcanoes resemble pro-
digious hollows, miles i'll breadth and depth.
That the whole have at one time been in
volcanic action, is obvious from the fact, that
at the bottom of the craters are seen the re-
mains of the small tapering cones, whence the
lava and ashes were projected
About two-thrds down from the top of the
moon, and nearer the side opposite our right,
than the middle, there is peculiarly grand
crater, finely rounded, measuring forty-six
miles in diameter, and having sides rising to
a height of IL, 600 feet There are wider and
higher craters, but none stands out 50 beauti-
fully. 1t is distinct to the naked eyo, but is
well defined by telescopes of a small power
In a clear moonlight night any one may have
n good view Of it with tield-glass. This
volcano is named Copcrnicus. Rtdiating
from it are bright streaks more than 100
miles long, which are thought to represent
cracks or cliasn1s IN the solid crust of the
moon, through which, at some terrible up
lleaval, molten matter had been poured.
Cupernicus was evidently the centre Of vast
amphitheatre of volcanic action, for the dis
trict around it is for great distance dotted
over with small craters, which had given re-
lief to the internal disturbance. Tycho,
standing in the midst Of a crowded group near
the Upper limb, is also magnificent crater.
fifty-four miles in diameter, with bright, radi-
ating streass. Lower down there are craters
close on each other Of considerably greater
one of them being upward Of 100
miles across alongside Of which any volcanic
opening in the earth would be insignificant =.
Chambers Journal.
--s.---seSs--~s- -------
MoLEs.-M. Flourens and other French
naturalists have experimented with moles to
ascertain their true habits. It has been
found that they will stalve to death In pres