j 4 2 IN STARRY REALMS. 



different places in the autumn of 1883 tallied with the 

 supposition that they all diverged from Krakatoa. The 

 instances that could be produced in support of the affir- 

 mative number many hundreds, though it must be 

 admitted that there are some few cases about which there 

 are difficulties. Surely we have here what is practically 

 a demonstration. It is certain that these optical pheno- 

 mena existed. No cause can be assigned for them except 

 the presence, at that particular time, of vast volumes of 

 dust in the air. What brought that dust into the air 

 except the explosion of Krakatoa ? Most people find 

 themselves unable to share the scruples of those who think 

 there can be a doubt on the matter. Would another 

 eruption of Krakatoa, followed by a repetition of all the 

 optical phenomena, convince them that in this case, at all 

 events, post hoc was propter hoc ? Perhaps not, if they 

 have already failed to be convinced by the fact that, when 

 Krakatoa exploded two centuries ago, blood- red skies 

 appear to have been seen shortly afterwards even as far 

 away as Denmark. 



When we reflect that an explosion on an insignificant 

 islet in the Straits of Sunda has sufficed to set the whole 

 atmospheric covering of our globe trembling, when we 

 remember that the dust then poured forth in a few days 

 of volcanic activity was adequate to adorn the sunsets of 

 every country in the earth, we are reminded once again 

 of the old truth : " How small the world is after all I " 



