VII 

 THE MOON IN MASQUERADE 



The general reader would naturally suppose that 

 since we are able to form an idea regarding the char- 

 acter of Mars' surface, Avhieh, at the best, is more than 

 140 times as far from us as is our satellite, it should 

 be a comparatively simple matter to construe the linea- 

 ments of the moon. Such however is riot the case. In 

 round numbers the moon is only 240,000 miles from us, 

 and has a diameter of 2163 miles, being a fraction over 

 half that of Mars. When viewed through a telescope 

 of about 400 diameters (which is found by experience 

 to be the most satisfactory, everything considered), it 

 is possible to perceive, though as a mere point, any 

 feature upon its surface as large as an ordinary city 

 block. 



There are two peculiarities about the moon which 

 have puzzled astronomers beyond measure, and until 

 the present moment have escaped their true solution. 

 One of these is that it presents only one side toward us, 

 and the other, that its topography appears to be so 

 abnormally volcanic in character. 



PROBLEM OF THE MOON'S MOTION 



Is it not truly singular that axial rotation, the cause 

 whereof science has never managed to guess, has been 



ill 



