CHAPTER TEN 



THE MOON 



FIG. 137. The full moon as seen through a telescope. 



FROM early times the moon has been contemplated 

 with feelings of wonder and awe. Formerly many 

 persons believed that certain crops must be planted in 

 the proper phase of the moon or they would not yield 

 well, and it was commonly held that sleeping in the 

 moonlight affected the mind. Many superstitions re- 

 garding the mysterious powers of the moon are still 

 current, but with the growth of knowledge these beliefs 

 are rapidly dying away. 



Now that we have such strong artificial lights we are 

 not so dependent as formerly on the moon for the illumi- 

 nation of our city streets or for light when we wish to 

 work late on the farm or take a journey at night, and 



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