Great attention has recently been bestowed upon the physical
constitution of the planets and the changes which the surfaces of
those bodies may undergo. In this department of research we must
feel gratified by the energy of our countrymen who have entered
upon it. Should I seek to even mention all the results thus made
known I might be stepping on dangerous ground, as many questions
are still unsettled. While every astronomer has entertained the
highest admiration for the energy and enthusiasm shown by Mr.
Percival Lowell in founding an observatory in regions where the
planets can be studied under the most favorable conditions, they
cannot lose sight of the fact that the ablest and most experienced
observers are liable to error when they attempt to delineate the
features of a body 50,000,000 or 100,000,000 miles away through
such a disturbing medium as our atmosphere. Even on such a subject
as the canals of Mars doubts may still be felt. That certain
markings to which Schiaparelli gave the name of canals exist, few
will question. But it may be questioned whether these markings are
the fine, sharp, uniform lines found on Schiaparelli's map and
delineated in Lowell's beautiful book. It is certainly curious
that Barnard at Mount Hamilton, with the most powerful instrument
and under the most favorable circumstances, does not see these
markings as canals.
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