New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-24

not advance 1t confidently. Still he pcInt. out
that 1t Is because they may help to an under
standing OF the Marian canals that those ON tina
moon deserve further study. The tenacity vsss
winch low forms of vegetation will exist under
uiscouraglng conditions is a recognized eorres-
trial phenomenon. Why should it not be found
elsewhere in the universe? Professor Pickering
is careful, while uttering these sentiments. to
discourage the idea that the moon may have in
habltants possessing intellect
unique set of photographs accompany Pro-
Iessor chickering's book They were taken about
three years ago during prolonged visit to ia
malca Harvard's new Photographic telescope
having a particularly long focus and thus yield.
ing remarkably fine details, was used for the
purpose. The aperture of the instrument Is a
toot and its length is trfe over I35 feet In
another Photographic telescope belonging to
Harvard designed for a different class of yUorl,
the ratio of length to diameter is only six tn
one! The plan pursued in getting the Jamaica
pictures was to divide up the lunar surface into
sixteen sections, and to make five different ex-
posurcs on each. BY carefully choosing the best
tme' every section is lighted from five different
angles. BY varying the direction from which
the illumination came. astonishing variations In
the distinctness with which irregularities in the
surface are revealed have been secured.
II other experts in stellar science do not fuIIv
accept the novel views advanced by Mr.. TAYLOR
the" Will probably give them respectful atten-
uon The author starts out with discussion
or the forces which keep the moon in its orbit
Though believing that most Of Newton's work
was complete and perfect Mr. Taylor feels that
his analysis Of the motion Of three bodies Qike
the sun. earth and noon was not all that could
be desired In the formation OF systems Of
satellites, like that of Saturn (which numbars
eight, and like the array Of planets moving
around the sun. II is suggested that wanderers
are picked up by attraction. one after another
the newest acquisition taking the Innermost cir
cult and quietly forcing the others TO move in
larger orbits Mr.. Taylor is so strongly i'm
pressed with the weak points In the nebular n.y.
pothesis that he deems this other theory more
satisfactory. He finds 1t necessary to assume
that more or less gradual building I'D Of the
sun and Jupiter by the accumulation Of comet
airy matter has occurred. but he Is no disciple
OF Lockyer.
Percival Lowen did not completely abandon
Boston when he erected an observatory at Flag
stan. Ariz- He is nonresident professor OF
astronomy IN the Massachusetts, Institute Of
Technology. One set OF his lectures to students
there has now been published The most strik-
Ing feature Of the little volume. perhaps, Is the
reiteration OF opinion expressed in his earlier
and elaborate volume on Mars to the effect that
some OF the markings there indicate that the
rudy planet Is inhabited 1T is certain" he
says. that there can be no men there.
But this does not preclude a local intelligence
equal to. and perhaps easily superior to, our
own Mr.. Lowell goes further In this direction
than other astronomers. though William II
Pickering looks upon the canals" as streaks OF
vegetation.