184 



Notes and Correspondence. 



[Jan., 



ages after the moon had assumed 

 its final condition as to tempera- 

 ture; and we have every reason 

 to conclude that it was the passing- 

 off of the original cosmical heat of 

 the moon and of the earth that in- 

 duced those actions, which resulted 

 in the present structure and condi- 

 tion of their surfaces. 



It is from such considerations I 

 am led to the conclusion that the 

 moon's surface - features, down to 

 their minutest details, present to 

 our view objects the antiquity of 

 which is so vast that the oldest ge- 

 ological formations of the earth (in- 

 conceivably ancient as they are) are 

 comparatively quite recent. 



Such considerations appear to 

 me to enhance so greatly the deep 

 interest which ever attends the ex- 

 amination and contemplation of the 

 moon's wonderful surface, that I 

 would earnestly urge those who 

 agree with the soundness of these 

 views to bear them in mind when 

 next they have an opportunity to 

 behold the marvellous details of the 

 lunar surface, for I would fain believe 

 that in so doing the interest of what 

 is there and then revealed to them 

 will be rendered vastly more im- 

 pressive. 



James Nasmtth, 



Penshurst, Kent, Dec. 5, 1864. 



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