Problems of Astronomy 



and the changes which the surfaces of these 

 bodies may undergo. In this department of 

 research we must feel gratified by the energy of 

 our countrymen who have entered upon it. 

 Should I seek to even mention all the results 

 thus made known, I might be stepping on dan- 

 gerous ground, as many questions are still un- 

 settled. While every astronomer has enter- 

 tained the highest admiration for the energy and 

 enthusiasm shown by Mr. Percival Lowell in 

 founding an observatory in regions where the 

 planets can be studied under the most favourable 

 conditions, they cannot lose sight of the fact that 

 the ablest and most experienced observers are 

 liable to error when they attempt to delineate 

 the features of a body fifty or one hundred million 

 miles away through such a disturbing medium as 

 our atmosphere. Even on such a subject as the 

 canals of Mars doubts may still well be felt. 

 That certain markings to which Schiaparelli gave 

 the name of canals exist, few will question. But 

 it may be questioned whether these markings 

 are the fine sharp uniform lines found on Schi- 

 aparelli's map and delineated in Mr. Lowell's 

 beautiful book. It is certainly curious that 

 Barnard at Mount Hamilton, with the most 

 powerful instrument and under the most favour- 

 able circumstances, does not see these markings 

 as canals. 



I can only mention among the problems of 

 the spectroscope the elegant and remarkable 

 solution of the mystery surrounding the rings of 

 49 



