86 Star anb Meatbet Gossip 



Mars, but he sees no reason why the irrigation of the 

 twenty-one million miles of its surface should not be 

 secured twice annually. It may be, indeed, that the 

 planet has more water than we dream of. In such 

 case, Mr. Housden can conceive of its being contained 

 in covered reservoirs to prevent evaporation. Surely 

 no body in the universe is so much theorised upon as 

 Mars. 



MOON STUDY 



In this present year of grace one thousand nine 

 hundred and fifteen, there are many signs of a revival 

 of interest in the study of the moon. I would instance 

 as especially active in promoting that revival, Miss 

 A. G. Cook, of Stowmarket ; Mr. Walter Goodacre, 

 of North Finchley ; Mr. G. P. B. Hallo wes, F.R.A.S., 

 of East Howe, Bournemouth ; Mr. Wm. Porthouse, 

 of Manchester ; and Mr. J. G. Burgess, of Worthing. 

 The study of selenography undoubtedly grows in favour 

 on acquaintance, and I have frequently pondered 

 over the reasons why it has never been very popular. 

 Mr. Porthouse has been good enough to send me his 

 views on the matter. In his opinion the reasons for 

 the neglect are (1) lack of facility in drawing ; (2) lack 

 of knowledge of mathematics ; (3) telescope too small ; 

 (4) absence of a definite programme of work. 



As to the first-named of the above reasons, he holds 

 that not much skill is required to turn out useful draw- 

 ings of lunar formations. Mr. Porthouse himself ap- 

 pears to execute them with ease, for he has been good 

 enough to send me some, the graphical skill of which I 



