AND OF THE OTHER BODIES OF SPACE. 



21 



FIG. 1. 



like one of those vast sums in which astronomy deals so largely, 

 but which the mind altogether fails to grasp. 



The observation made upon the surface of the moon by tele- 

 scopes tends strongly to support the hypothesis as to all the 

 bodies of space being composed of similar matters, subject to 

 certain variations. It does not appear that our satellite is 

 provided with an atmosphere of the kind found upon earth ; 

 neither is there any appearance of water upon the surface. 

 Yet that surface is, like the face of our globe, marked by in- 

 equalities and the appearance of volcanic operations. These 

 inequalities and volcanic operations are upon a scale far greater 

 than any which now exist upon the earth's surface. The 

 mountains are, in many instances, equal in height to nearly the 

 highest of our Andes. They are generally of extreme steepness, 

 and sharp of outline, peculiarities which might be looked for 

 in a planet deficient in meteoric agencies, such as those which 

 operate so powerfully in wearing down ruggedness on the surface 

 of our earth. The volcanic ope- 

 rations are on a stupendous 

 scale. They are the cause of 

 the bright spots of the moon, 

 while the want of them is what 

 distinguishes the duller portions, 

 usually but erroneously called 

 seas. In some parts, bright vol- 

 canic matter, besides covering 

 one large patch, radiates out in 

 large streams, which appear 

 studded with subordinate foci of 

 the same kind of energy. A large 

 portion of the surface is covered 

 with circular eminences, called 

 King Mountains, of various dia- 

 meters, from a quarter of a mile 

 to several hundred miles, and in 

 some places as close together as 

 the circles on the surface of a 

 boiling pot, which they in no 

 small degree resemble. Some 

 even intrude upon and obliterate portions of the neighbouring 

 circles, thus leading to the idea of date, or a succession of events 

 on the moon's surface. Generally, in the centre, there is a 

 mount, which appears to be connected, in the way of cause 



Surface of the Moon, at her 

 first Quarter. 



