ed it carefully, and gave such a minute
description of it that it became apparent at once to the committee that
it was pure mercury or quicksilver. The reason why it has but very
recently shown itself to astronomers is thus accounted for: it appears
close up to the line of demarcation separating the light and shadow upon
the moon's disk; and on closer inspection a distinct cataract of the
fluid--in short, a metallic Niagara, was clearly seen falling from the
night side to the day side of the luminary. It has already filled up a
vast plain--one of the four that exist on the moon's surface--and
appears to be still emptying itself with very great rapidity and volume.
It covers an area of five by seven hundred miles in extent, and may
possibly deluge one half the entire surface of the moon. It does not
seem to occasion much apprehension to the inhabitants, as they were soon
skating, so to speak, in platoons and battalions, over and across it. In
fact, it presents the appearance of an immense park, to which the
Lunarians flock, and disport themselves with great gusto upon its
polished face. One of the most beautiful sights yet seen by the lad was
the formation of a new figure, which he drew upon the sand with his
finger.

The central heart was of crimson-colored natives; the one to the right
of pale orange, and the left of bright blue. It was ten seconds in
forming, and five seconds in dispersing. The number engaged in the
evolution could not be less than half a million.

Thus has been solved one of the great astronomical questions of the
century.

The next evening the committee assembled earlier, so as to get a view of
the planet Venus before the moon rose. It was the first time that the
lad's attention had been drawn to any of the planets, and he evinced the
liveliest joy when he first beheld the cloudless disk of that
resplendent world. It may here be stated that his power of vision, in
looking at the fixed stars, was no greater or less than that of an
ordinary eye. They appeared only as points of light, too far removed
into the infinite beyond to afford any information concerning their
properties. But the committee were doomed to a greater disappointment
when they inquired of the boy what he beheld on the surface of Venus. He
replied, "Nothing clearly; all is confused and watery; I see nothing
with distinctness." The solution of the difficulty was easily
apprehended, and at once surmised. The focus of the eye was fixe