722 Marvels of the Universe 
the solid matter by means 
of horny plates which run 
along the edges of the jaws. 
And the process in both is 
aided by a great fleshy tongue. 
The curious angle at which the 
beak is bent in the Flamingo is 
perhaps associated with the 
great length of the neck and 
legs. For though the Flamingo 
can swim well enough, it feeds 
when wading; and it would 
seem that, this being so, the 
peculiar shape of the beak fits 
best with the position of the 
head. 
Finally, we come to the 
beak of the Puffin. This, like 
the beak of the Merganser, is 
fashioned for holding fish, and 
widely though it differs in 
shape, it is still as effective in 
use. But we are concerned 
LTD A here with another of its 
MARS. aspects, and that a curious 
Still further fluctuations are observable here, and it is this variety which one. Briefly at the autumn 
militates against the idea that the dark lines seen on the surface are really artificial 
and permanent waterways. moult, the large, gaily-coloured 
plates at the base of the beak 
are shed, to be assumed anew in the spring; herein we are reminded of the beak of the White 
Pelican, which sheds and renews the horny plates which project from the ridge of the beak, as 
shown in our illustration. 
DE CANALS SOL VINRS 
BY E. WALTER MAUNDER, F.R.A.S. 
FORTY-EIGHT million miles! This is the distance from the earth of the planet Mars, on Nov- 
ember 17th, the date of its nearest approach this season. Its nearest approach; but forty-eight 
million miles is a very distant nearness! How can we form any real conception of such a number, 
of such a distance ? One second of time quickly passes ; forty-eight million seconds stretch out to 
much more than a year anda half. Six thousand worlds as large as our own, placed side by side, 
would not bridge the gulf between ourselves and Mars, even at its nearest approach. Yet eight 
thousand miles, the diameter of our earth, is not a short distance ; it is the distance traversed bya 
steamer in going from London to Buenos Ayres; the distance in direct flight of London from 
Honolulu. 
The beautiful painting of the planet Mars by the gifted Greek astronomer Antoniadi, which 
accompanies this number of ““ MARVELS OF THE UNIVERSE,” if set up three-quarters of a mile from 
the observer, will appear larger than the actual planet when nearest to the earth. What possibility 
is there that we should ever learn anything about the handiwork of its inhabitants, if there be any 
such, upon a world so small and so remote ? 
