The San Francisco call., 1896-08-23

an underlying law-requires and
TO be strained too far.
"And then there solid argument that have not yet
seen advanced favor OF atmosphere OF some retroactive
power at least Mars surface When drawings and photo
graphs OF the examined carefully 1t is found that in
the gbbous incomplete phases of illumination the ter
lnato boundary between light and darkness the sur
face should be theoretically Hmay
ce that shape the lunar surface which
always facing us NAV be such to give effect observed
may be Halter than the regular disk would indicates
not forced conclude that there envelope which
reracts the and carries them further toward the
center of the dkhowever probable such circumstance
be- But when W. Campbell of the Lick tory tells us
that Marwhch turns swiftly upon his axis and therefore,
can have such undeteced reguy of fureexhbits the
same phenomenon fairly assert that the advancement
OF the ermnao toward the center of the disk must be
atmospheric effect whereby the envelope OF Mars
longs the hours light his surface just air
does upon the earth.
IA fortnight ago Mars in oppositionthat to
say our earth between him and and saw his
surface consequently full illumination just the
moon at full when she is in opposition to the Famary
speaking in around the orb of day had overaken
Mars which, upon his wider circle takes twice long make
his revolutions and begin to see little OF his darkened
side Since his daily rotation in the direction his
course s with our earth aso the ermnaor or the ncom
pee edge OF the enlightened disk reverse
before opposon) morning ne and the natural features OF
Mars surface coming the darkness behind the planet
into the light or day in front.
"Ths therefore, is the time when inequalities upon his
face be best deteced therefore favorable hour
eagerly utilized at the Lick and other
obtain further information those remarkable bright spots
that have been ke the mountains and OF
moon shining out of the morning darkness at the first touch OF
the advancing sunlight the Maran surface Gradually
we shall know whether these high Clouds supposed by
simpy capped with mist;
probably they from their occupying approximately the
position at each successive appearances This point will have
vast Importance in specuatons to the conditions of Mars
crust to the determination of land water to atmos
pher and finally to habitaton by forms with
ours.
The so-caed canals gradually to be ceasing Gas in
they should cease to be regarded manifest
width oppose and their curious regularity
the easily comparable with of similar
lures upon the moon familiar those who like the writer
have studied much and long the lunar surface in equatorial
telescope of the larger size.
planned these angular reaks in this sense being assures
occurring through contrctons in the of Mars when hall
cooled aerward in filed with molten matter and in
of converted into valleys perhaps covered with
and in center of which wide waterway has
traced its path This explanation would certainly reasonably
for the changing nvisbiy of those curious features
vegetation varies in tint according to the also
they give to the waters the melting
snowcaps Possibly also, it would very simply
for duplication of these channels phenomenon which
puzzled all since the time of Schapare who
noted these extensive double canals The vegetation
side of the wide channel changing in color and shade with
the OF the Marn would sometimes harmonze
and sometimes contrast with the water channel and again
with the surrounding couny and become invisible v
be according to the circumstances In this connection Mr.
Holt recently referred (Astronomie 337 Sept 9 to
observation made by schapare the 26h of December
1S79 upon wide white streak which appeared in Mars and
be the track of storm of hail. With absorb
doubtless looked if it crossed of these
canals he Ne without interruptions for if water could
there He found that the center only that canal
completely absorbed the streak and appeared like thin
thread joining the wide of the Ne
proving apparently existed only the
these channels bands side which formed
visible width rma, capable of
receiving unmeed the passing deposit of hail that
being observed.
Space would fail however to detail the interesting
and instructive observations which have been made this
earhke planet both in America and in Europe but sufficient
been said for extraordinary enhus
manifested all observatorie during the present
approach OF Mars.
thought religious preudces from too great absorp
in the things this particular planet unwilling to
look outward other worlds in creation
like why should expect habitaton and human fe
indeed life at ALL upon other shining bodies in
the heavens supposng nat they ma
terially like earth?
ITO this be frankly and promptly answered that The
mprobaby OF particular grain of dust in the midst OF the
infinite cloud such planetary dust around being the only
containing life great that reflective mind must at
reject such supposition.
by millions count the stars already and our i'm
proving optical and Photographic appliances add millions OF
newound these there than
flaming that seek for life developed to
stage could comprehend Each of these blazing
orbs has planets its dark satellites shining only by the light
their therefore family to be at such vast
distancesfo earth would be quite invisible at
distance such that light would take day to traverse while
of suns Alpha Centau four reach
Well may we say: How wonderful thy works. Lord
God Almighty, in wisdom. Thou hast made them ALL