The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-10-27

about his polar region, but never entirely
disa opearing. Indeed, we can have no
dO1bs that Mars has beea the scene of
volcanic disturbances hike those 10 which
our own mountains. hills. valleys and rayines
owe their origin The existence OF CONT
nents and ocsans imply an unevenness Of
surface which can only oe explained Ms the
suhterranean forces. Therefore volcanoes
must also exist in Mars. and the inhabitants
feel earthquake throes such as we expert
ence Possibly these sub;erranean forces
may be more intense than in our own earth.
the materials of which the planet is formed
being not only somewhat less massive in
themselves, but also held down by gravity
much less effective.
Thus we are not left doubtful as TO the
general resemblance of Mars, so far as the
structure of his surface is concerned, 10 the
surface on which we live. The planet has
large surface of earth, probably formed
IN large part by depositiofs at the bottom of
former seas, and subsequently raised above
the sea level by subterranean forces. or
rather caused to appear above the surface
by the effects Of the gradual shrinkage of
the planets crust. The shapes too, OF the
outlines Of the lands and seas indicate the
existence of mountain ranges, aud these. too.
OF considerable elevation. Then we know
there is water on the planet on account of the
condition of the atmosphere, out of which
hue Of the water implies the presence Of the
same substances which are IN the oceans.
and give to them their green, green-bue
and blue tints.
A MARIAN DAY.
1t is important to note these points Of gen
eral resemblance and to infer that the
planets present condition Is like that of our
own earth. We might see in Imagination
the waves Of those distant seas beating upon
the long shore line, and see the mists of
morning gradually clearing as the sun rises
We can imagine the slow progress Of the
Marian day, the winds raised by the mid
day heat, zephyrs murmuring among the
distant hills, or blasts roaring lonely over
desolate. rock-bound seas; the gathering of
the clouds toward eventide, though prob
aOly to pass from the skies at night because
condensed by the cold, leaving the same
consultations we see to shine with greater
splendor through rarer atmosphere
We can safely imagine all this, because
We know from what the telescope has re
vealed that such may be the changes of the
Marian day. We see ia the telescope the
long white shore lines, the clearing mists of
MOI ming, the gathering miSts of highland
we know that there must be air currents in
an atmosphere undergoing such changes
There must be rain and snow and hail, and
electrical disturbances and light
nlng ct times--besldes tornadoes-hurri-
canes blowing probably more fiercely than
on our earth, though the destructive effects
must be less on account of the tenuity of the
Martian air
The two white spots which are to be seen
on Mars indicate the presence OF ice fields
around the Martial poles, and are:
The snowy poles of moonIess Mars.
Mars also has winds, as our earth has,
which cleanse and purify the air, aud watt
the clouds from place to place, rendering
the atmosphere fit for all those purposes for
which, like our own earth, it has doubtless
been created.
our own world 80 well fitted TO our wants
land and water, mountains and valleys,
| clouds and SUNSHINE, rain, ice, snow, rivers,
ocean currents and wind currents, and can
we do so further without believing in the
existence OF those forms of life without
which all these things would be wasted9
Surely this charming planet must be the
abode Of life, and not barren waste
wholly untenanted by living creatures. or
inhabited by beings belonging to the lowest
orders of animated existence.
This planet may have bean created to be
| the abode of nobler races than those which
| exist upon our earth, for il exhibits in the
ciearest manper the traces of adaptation to
the wants Of living beings such as we are
| acquainted with. Processes are at work out
yonder In space which may appear utterly
useless to us. Winds may appear to spend
their forces in vain, clouds may be waited
across continents. and the sun may shed its
rays over vast tracts Of arid land, and in a
| thousand ways natures busy forces may be
| at work, but is it all wastedl If, indeed,
this distant world were unpeopled then we
would be compelled to say that natures
| forces were wholly wasted9
The progress of art may lead to the dis
covery of hidden wonders, and ID may be
possible for us to arrive at last to solution
| Of the great enigma as to whether the
planet Mars ia inhabited or not.
| MARY PROCTOR.