304 MR. J. NASMYTH ON THE PLANET MARS. 



The snow on the north pole was also visible ; but as the 

 north arctic pole, then in its winter position, was turned 

 away from our direct line of vision, it was not so well seen ; 

 and the manner in which the white of the snow on the 

 north pole was blended or softened oflP into the ruddy tint 

 of the surface of the planet at this part removed the sharp 

 and definite boundary which characterized that of the 

 snow-patch on the south arctic pole. I use the expression 

 south arctic pole in contradistinction to that of the ^' south 

 pole ^^ for this reason,^that I find the south arctic pole does 

 not coincide with the absolute south pole of the planet ; it 

 is somewhat eccentric to it, and hence it is that in the 

 rotation of the planet on its axis the snow-patch on the 

 south pole went nearly out of sight when the planet turned 

 half round. This observation is the more interesting as it 

 tends to establish a similarity in that respect to the situa- 

 tion of our arctic poles, which are, I believe, known to be 

 somewhat on one side of, or excentric to, the absolute 

 poles of the earth. What I term the arctic pole is the 

 centre of minimum temperature, which is influenced by the 

 relative situation and area of land and water on our globe 

 near its poles. 



What next most attracted my attention was the remark- 

 able and beautiful contrast between the ruddy portions of 

 the surface of the planet and those which appeared of a 

 pale blue-green tint, forcibly conveying the impression of 

 the presence of land and sea. This was rendered the more 

 striking by an isolated ruddy patch, as represented in the 

 drawing, and which I could not resist the conclusion was 

 an island ! 



I shall never forget the impression which those remark- 

 able and beautiful features, presented by the planet Mars 

 on this occasion, made upon me. 



On comparing the aspect of the planet on the same oc- 

 casion as revealed to me by the aid of my 20-in. diameter 



