126 SCIIIAPARELLl's LATEST VIEWS REGARDING MARS. 



The gemination is not sliowu by all at the same time, but when the 

 season is at hand it begins to be produeed here and there, in an isolated, 

 irregular manner, or at least without any easily recognizable order. In 

 many canals (such as the i^ilosyrtis, for example) the gemination is 

 lacking entirely, or is scarcely visible. After having lasted for some 

 months, the markings fade out gradually and disappear until another 

 season equally favorable for their formation. Thus it happens that in 

 certain other seasons (especially near the southern solstice of the 

 planet) few are seen, or even none at all. In different oppositions the 

 gemination of the same canal may present different appearances as to 

 width, intensity, and arrangement of the two stripes; also in some 

 cases the direction of the lines may vary, although by the smallest 

 quantity, but vstill deviating by a small amount from the canal with 

 which they are directly associated. From this important fact it is 

 immediately understood that the gemination can not be a fixed forma- 

 tion upon the surface of Mars and of a geographical eharacter like 

 the canals. The second of our maps will give an approximate idea of 

 the appearance which these singular formations present. It contains 

 all the geminations observed since 1882 up to the present time. In 

 examining it it is necessary to bear in mind that not all of these 

 appearances were simultaneous, and consequently that the map does 

 not represent the condition of Mars at any given period; it is only a 

 sort of topographical register of the observations made of this phe- 

 nomenon at different times.' 



The observation of the geminations is one of the greatest difficulty, 

 and can only be made by an eye well practiced in such work, added to 

 a telescoiDC of accurate construction and of great power. This explains 

 why it is that it was not seen before 1882. In the ten years that have 

 transpired since that time, it has been seen and described at eiglit or 

 ten observatories. Nevertheless, some still deny tluit these i)henomena 

 are real, and tax with illusion (or even imposture) those who declare 

 that they have observed it. 



Their singular aspect, and their being drawn with absolute geomet- 

 rical precision, as if they were the work of rule or compass, has led 

 some to see in them the work of intelligent beings, inhabitants of the 

 planet. I am very careful not to combat this supposition, which includes 

 nothing impossible. (lo mi guardero bene dal combattere questa sup- 

 posizione, la quale nulla include d' impossibile.) But it will be noticed 

 that in any case the gemination can not be a work of i)ermanent charac- 

 ter, it being certain that in a given instance it may change its ai)pearance 

 and dimensions from one season to another. If we should assume such 

 a work, a certain variability would not be excluded from it; for exam- 

 ple, extensive agricultural labor and irrigation upon a large scale. Let 

 us add, further, that the intervention of intelligent beings might ex]>lain 



iTbisluap may hn found also in La Planetc Mars, by Flamniarion, page 440.— 

 Translator. 



