cactus. In the temperate and cooler zones trees resembling our firs
and pines are plentiful; whilst fruits, vegetables, and nuts, as well as
cereals, are grown in enormous quantities on the irrigated areas, as
these products form the chief articles of food amongst the Martians.

Insects are numerous on Mars, the conditions being very favourable to
insect life; and they are all on a very much larger scale than our
insects, especially those which fly.

Everywhere we go we are received by the people with the utmost courtesy
and kindness, and have become much attached to those with whom we have
been more closely associated. They are indeed a most amiable,
intelligent, and lovable people--always good tempered--dignified, yet
ready to display great enthusiasm when occasion requires.

The marriage tie is sacred and indissoluble on Mars, and divorce is
therefore unknown; but it is also quite unnecessary, for no cause ever
arises for a dissolution of marriage.

When Merna was telling me about this, I asked him whether any attempt
had been made to dispense with marriage in any Martian community,
stating that some of our advanced people were disposed to do so.

He answered that "Some such ideas had been in vogue amongst certain of
their nations about two thousand years ago, and attempts were also made
to abolish religious observances, but they proved complete failures, and
engendered strife. No nation adopting these views ever progressed or
prospered; the people were soon clamouring for the revival of their old
institutions, and since then no one had ever desired to dispense with
them. Both religion and marriage are essential to the stability and
well-being of all nations, and the people are soon lost without them.
You may be assured," added Merna, "that those on your earth who favour
such a change are quite mistaken in thinking it would be an advance in
civilisation, for, on the contrary, it would result in a reversion to
barbarism."

The Martian educational system is very thorough. In their earlier years
the children all receive a good education in general and scientific
knowledge, then they pass into the technical, trade, and business
schools. Every kind of business and trade is thoroughly taught by
teachers who are not mere doctrinaire professors, but persons who have
made their mark as good, capable, and practical workers in the
particular trade or business which they are required to teach.

We went over several of th