The Earth as seen from the Moon. 325 



they will liaye a right apparently superior to our own for re- 

 garding creation, the earth included, as especially made for the 

 Selenian race. 



" The earth is a gigantic globe, sending them thirteen times 

 more light than the full moon transmits to us. It revolves on 

 its axis in twenty-four hours, and during this period exhibits 

 all portions of its surface, being thus more generous than the 

 moon, which always conceals one hemisphere from our view. 

 In consequence of this motion, the Selenite finds himself in an 

 observatory magnificently situated for viewing the terrestrial 

 disc, and his position is preferable to that of the inhabitants 

 of the first four moons of Saturn, who can never see the whole 

 of that planet, and they can see the earth better than we see 

 any planet. 



" The earth generally presents to them a greenish hue, in 

 consequence of the immense quantity of water by which its 

 surface is covered, of the forests of the new world, and of its 

 plains, and also on account of the tint of its atmosphere. 

 From, time to time, however, large grey or yellow spots divide 

 the sphere. To the east of the terrestrial disc appear the 

 lofty Cordilleras, marked by a long indented line, just as we 

 see in the lunar Carpathians to the west of the Sea of Storms. 

 Opposite this ridge, a shady green spot of great extent 

 unfolds itself for many hours — this is the great ocean. Next 

 come two grey patches, which look like one, elongated ; these 

 are the two isles of New Zealand. Then appears the fine con- 

 tinent of Australia, tinted with a thousand colours, and accom- 

 panied by New Guinea, Borneo, Java, and the Philippines. 

 At the same time tho grey country of Asia is unrolled, and 

 extends to the white steppes of the pole. Africa then comes 

 in view, divided by its milky way of sand. To the north of 

 the great Sahara, appears a little green spot torn in all 

 directions, and full of ramifications — this is the Mediterranean ; 

 above which those who have good eyesight will discern little, and 

 almost invisible, France. Then the dryland will disappear, and 

 the great dark spot of tho Atlantic will follow the same re- 

 volving course. The Selenites who carelessly contemplate in 

 tranquil nights the green and grey divisions of the earth, will 

 have no idea of the contests in which the distant nationalities 

 are involved. 



" The earth is a permanent clock to the inhabitants of the 

 moon, and this is not its least utility. By reason of its in- 

 variable movements the fixed points which mark the different 

 longitudes will bo the hours on the meridian of the moon. 

 Each country of the globe has its peculiar aspect, and may 



serve for a point of departure 



" The phases the earth presents to the moon will, in the 



