Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-09-24


The effect OF such an air circulation would
be the same as that of the circulation sug.
gcsted by DR.. Lowell All moisture would in
time be evaporated from the planets hemi.
sphere exposed to perpetual sunshine and
would be deposited as ice on the planets
dark hemisphere. This deposit OF ice would,
however. most probably be greatest and
thckest at a short distance inside the outer
boundary of the dark hemisphere as Illus.
trated In Figure 3.
We should thus have in the planets dark
hemisphere vast ice field with q more or
less connected series OF glaciers along it's
outer edge and at no great distance from
the planets ever illumined face This series
Of glaciers would be of an unknown hut not
great width; it would, however have q total
face length of close upon $4,000 miles The
Ice composing these glaciers would, under
the action OF gravity, and also probably TN.
der the influence OF the hot currents Of de.
scending air. be forced down existing val
leys into the sunit face or at any rate into
temperature Of over 80 degrees Fahrenheit,
there TO melt and flow down the glacier val.
leys 40 water.
1t is clear, however, that next the melt
Ing ice there would be strip Of land
$4,000 miles long, and at least 1000 miles
wide, comprising an area Of twenty.four
million square miles on which water would
be always available and the temperature of
which would range from 80 degrees Fahren-
heit TO 1872 degrees Fahrenheit. On this
strip OF the planets surface life, as we know
1t on Earth, would consequently be possible
II the Venusian atmosphere Is similar In
composition to our own, as Is very likely the
case. This much can be inferred on general
grounds without consideration OF any Of
the planets markings. Markings, however,
az We have seen. there are. and We may learn
something further from studying them
Imagine now an enterprsing race in occu.
patton OF this narrow strip Of Venus's sur
face and DESTROYS Of extending the area OF
their domain. At their back the inhabitants
thereof would have an incxhaustible ice field
which, Il not melting off sufficiently quickly
naturally, could be artiiicialIy melted to any
desired extent. thus providing n practically
unlimited supply OF fresh water OF which
they could make use I'm the reclamation OF
the outlying arid areas.
This water could not. on account OF rapid
evaporation. be carried in open channels
very far into the lands It Is desired to
reclaim. II could. however. be carried for.
ward by graVitation down tho perhaps cir.
cnitous valleys In which the water flows In
covered pipes or condnits to any desired
points therein q good deal lower than the
points NJ which the flowing water Is avail.
able.
To raise II economically out Of the valleys
to tho planets higher lands. It would be
necessary to pump 1t up to them.
II 1t is desired to pump the water out to
some point near the centre OF the ilumi-
mated disc on much the same level as the
source of supply the simplest and most
economical method would be to carry the
line OF pipes which would be needed for
such n purpose in the easiest direct line over
hill and dale.
One possible and economical system for
the distribution OF water through pipes to a
small, circular area from low-lying sources
OF supply situated at different points on it's
circumference would be that illustrated in
Figure Five If the quantity OF water to be
SO pumped and distributed Is great. the
number OF pipes needed for It's CONVEYANCE
would, to begin with. be large. their mum,
Der beng gradually reduced as a portion Of
the water flowing through them is distrib.
utcd to the everything areas by means of
pipes under static pressure taking Off from,
the high points passed over by the main
line OF pipes.
Il comparison of Figure Five with Figure
One suggests that water Is probably SO dis.
ti1outed over the sunlit face OF Venus; and
that also in very large quantities, and thus