Nothing satisfactory has
yet been made out as to its condition. We cannot say with
certainty whether it has an atmosphere or not. What seems very
probable is that the temperature on its surface is higher than any
of our earthly animals could sustain. But this proves nothing.
We know that Venus has an atmosphere. This was very conclusively
shown during the transits of Venus in 1874 and 1882. But this
atmosphere is so filled with clouds or vapor that it does not seem
likely that we ever get a view of the solid body of the planet
through it. Some observers have thought they could see spots on
Venus day after day, while others have disputed this view. On the
whole, if intelligent inhabitants live there, it is not likely
that they ever see sun or stars. Instead of the sun they see only
an effulgence in the vapory sky which disappears and reappears at
regular intervals.
When we come to Mars, we have more definite knowledge, and there
seems to be greater possibilities for life there than in the case
of any other planet besides the earth. The main reason for denying
that life such as ours could exist there is that the atmosphere of
Mars is so rare that, in the light of the most recent researches,
we cannot be fully assured that it exists at all.
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