New-York tribune., 1905-04-17
TEGETATIoN ON MARS.

a brief dispatch from Flagstaff Ariz, says
that an astronomical observer there has detected
n change Of tint in a region on the planet Mars
known as the Mare Erythreum. This like the
other sO-caIed seas on that body, has hitherto
had bluish-green color, but few days ago
Mr.. Lampland noticed that it had turned brown
No similar alteration elsewhere is reported, but
the accuracy of the observation may be taken
for granted, at least Professionally. The Observa-
tory from which the announcement emanates
was established by Mfr. Percival Lowell mainly
for the study OF the member of the solar system
whose orbit lies next outside that OF the earth
The latter Overtakes its neighbOr on the celestial
racetrack once in about two years, and they will
cross the line together on May s. Mars will
then be "in opposition TO the SUM- During the
few weeks preceding and following such an oc-
casiOn the planet is always advantageously stu
ated for scrutiny. At many places besides Flag
stan, therefore. 1t is now the object Of much at
tention.
When examined with a small glass or no In
strument at all, Mars has an orange hue, which
accounts for its being named after the god of
war and for the familiar appelIatiOn, ''the ruddy
planet" In large telescope its surface is seen
TO be divided into two differently colOred areas
One, the larger, has the characteristic reddish
tint, shading off into yellow, light brown and
even pink here and there, while the other is of
generally blush-green color, but with local
variations in intensity and also a disposition to
appear gray in places. For many years astron-
Omers thought the yellow area to be land and
the bluish-gray one water. OF late the latter sn-
position has been less confidently held. There IS
some hesitation, too, about believing the large
gray patches seen on the continent called
lakes long ago, to be such. The faint narrow
gray lines, which Schiaparelli designated
Canals Qor lack Of a better term), usually
overue the yellow regions, but few have been
reported from the seas as we'll Another reason
Tor doubt is found I'm the fact that when the
hght OF Mars is examined with polariscope il
does ,betray evidence Of having undergone
certain change which would be caused by reflec.
ton from water surface. To both Of these OBJ
Jecuons fairly satisfactory answers can be
found, but the facts have served 10 modify +he
carrier theories concerning the darker areas on
the planet -
Whatever may be the truth regarding them
the belief that the yellow region is land remains
practically mistaken, and conjecture has hAan
busy with the nature OF the surface there seem
Inc resemblance in color to a sandy desert has
impressed many shrewd observers. while others
nave been alert to the possibility that they might
% 20 4OoAlng upon tracts which were covered with
Flpe grass or other vegetation. Much diversity
OIL opinion on this point still exists but thar
lorests or prair1es or both cover a large mart or
Ihe planet Is not deemed incredible IP fbora ,g
HLhlted supply Of water, and rain ia eIroos4
q uuIlAhOWh' there would be better case for sard
tllah Tor plant life; but otherwise faith IN 4bo
iatter seems rational so long as the vapoto+ +Ian
10 conceived TO be wild and not product of c,,I+
1auoh Inc phenomenon recently observo5 y .
NIdsslaI may be interpreted in more vavs +baD
, ne, Out the suggestion that it has a botanical
eApianauon has something to commend n mn
baO
Tldnse was noticed is said to corresnond 70
reDrdary OF very early spring. A transform 4,oo
rum green to brown on the earth would no rDoro
&c I@A IN the autumn, but it would ha inir-
ulcious 10 insist on a close coDfornitv 70 49,.
IeSulaI usage. The notion that fbe Nforo r.
.nl'eum Is covered with a growth tbo+ hos -,
Ueisohe change Of color is more nlauSibIo +t,,
" pelieI that portion of the bed OF a sbaIIo1r
sea mas oeen lifted up by some vast convuIsIo,,
ana mas become high and dry.
The hypothesis advanced nv NJ ~
- lor Ine canals is that they are belts
VI vegetation made possible by irrigation o,o,,S
Oh some kind which are raised for tho ,,o,r.1
heht OF intelligent creatures not diffarino o.oot
~ from mankind. This doctrine. FASCINATING os
II Is 10 the imagination imposes a heavier to-
On Ihe reason than the suppOsitiOn that +bero
are hatlVe forests and prairies on Mars Few
astronomers are yet ready to accent If Consarvo.
tive experts declare that ADEQUATE nrooP oP +ta
existence of such inhabitants as Mr.. Lowell os,
signs to the ruddy planet is still lacking. Some
OF them regard the markings in question. which
are exceedingly faint. as optical Illusions. and
some are frank enough to say that they can
hnd no satisfactory theory at all. AS vet Mr.
Lowell has not convinced the world. Perbons
new light on this problem will be obtained this
spring, although the approaching opposition is
not quite SO favorable as will be the oppositlons
of 1907 and 1909