166 IN STARRY REALMS. 



course. It is, however, a doubtful point as to the actual 

 nature of these objects. Many assiduous astronomers, 

 who have enjoyed the aid of excellent telescopes, have 

 failed to see them. It would, at all events, seem that 

 there are no permanent markings on the planet which 

 appear like the twin canals. If we admit their existence 

 at all and this is a point on which some astronomers 

 entertain considerable doubts they might be regarded 

 rather in the light of certain periodic phenomena con- 

 nected with the changes of the seasons in the planet than 

 as permanent configurations on the globe. 



I am, however, fortunately able to discuss here some 

 observations made by very capable observers during the 

 opposition of 1888. An excellent account of the results 

 which have been thus obtained is found in the Observatory 

 for September, 1888, by Mr. E. W. Maunder, of the 

 Roj^al Observatory, Greenwich. It must first be remarked 

 that the opposition was not a favourable one, in so far as 

 the apparent size of the planet was concerned, but still 

 there were many very interesting observations recorded, 

 and some very beautiful sketches of the planet were 

 obtained. The existence of the canals has been asserted 

 by Dr. Terby and M. Perrotin, and the latter astronomer, 

 provided with a superb telescope at Nice, has also detected 

 the remarkable phenomenon of the double canals. Prof. 

 Schiaparelli himself has again confirmed their existence, 

 and, in the enthusiasm of a brilliant telescopic view, he 

 declares that the Martial canals had all the distinctness 

 of an engraving on steel, with the magical beauty of a 

 coloured painting. 



Several theories have been put forward to account for 



