The Lunar Taurus (S.) and Argceus. 257 



extended not more than § ths of the distance to the terminator. 

 I have entered into these minute particulars because the phe- 

 nomenon seems to be of very transient character, and requires 

 watching in order to catch its most striking aspect. In the 

 first observation, part of the ring of the neighbouring crater, 

 Plinius (No. 13), was just visible beyond the terminator in 

 faint light ; in the second, I have noted that the foot of the 

 ring of the same cavity touched the terminator when the 

 shadow was shortening. In either case Theophilus (85) was 

 on the terminator, and the entrance of that grand crater into 

 sunshine will serve as a convenient signal for the observer who 

 wishes to secure a view of this remarkable shadow. I have 

 once seen the mountain under the opposite illumination in the 

 wane, but the effect was not at all striking ; it was, however, 

 too far in sunshine. 



The representation of this chain by Lohrmann differs some- 

 what from the figures of Schr. and B. and M., but those best 

 acquainted with the lunar surface and its delineation will not 

 be the most perplexed by such deviations. It does not appear 

 why B. and M. have not affixed to its apex one of those letters of 

 reference which they have, in many instances, so liberally 

 bestowed on objects of much less magnitude and interest ; but 

 as it is without any designation in their map I have begged 

 permission to distinguish it by the name of Mount Argceus * 

 from some kind of analogy which may be traced between its 

 position as an outlier of the lunar Taurus, with that of the 

 Cappadocian summit bearing that name, which is somewhat 

 similarly related to the Taurus range in Asia Minor, f 



On the W. side of Vitruvius, or S.E. of Maraldi, lie two 

 smaller craters side by side, the one (Vitruvius A.) as remark- 

 able for its steepness as its neighbour, which is not quite so 

 large, is for its soft contour. B. and M. observe that one 

 would be tempted by their aspect to consider the latter as a 

 sketch, the former a finished production. 



To complete our survey of Mt. Taurus, we have yet to 

 examine the S.W. plateau, containing the two large craters, 

 Macrohius (11) and. Proclus (12). The former is 42 miles 

 in diameter, and at least 12,800 feet deep ; less, however, on the 



* Celestial Objects for Common Telescopes, p. 72. 



t This grand summit, the culminating point of the ridge of Antitaurus which 

 divides Cappadocia into two parts, is now called Ardjish or JErjish Dagh. It is 

 an extinct volcano of very noble form, rising about 13,000 feet above the sea, and 

 capped with perpetual snow. The western and loftier of its two conical peaks is 

 described as " bristling with needles and furrowed with cavities ;" at its foot lies 

 an immense craler of vast depth. Many years ago an unfortunate American 

 traveller was said to have lost his life from attempting a short cut in its descent. 

 The ancient geographer Strabo relates that both the Mediterranean and Euxiue seas 

 were visible from its summit, but this seems highly improbable. 



