CANALS ON MARS.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9652, 4 January 1910, Page 5

CANALS ON MARS.

United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. Sydney, January 3.

Professor Percivsl Lowell declares that two canals new to ns and now to Mars were discovered during observations at the Observatory in Arizona, when the planet was recently in opposition. Paris, November 11.

M. Camille Fiammarion. the eminent scientist, writes contradicting the allegation that life on Mars has been ended by a terrible cataclysm. ‘‘During the last three months,’ ? writes M. Fiemmarion, “the planet has been within closer proximity of the earth, and has afforded an excellent opportunity for observation. “What has principally struck us is the constant and swift variation of the surface aspect. These changes cannot as yet be accounted for, but they are not of the [nature of cataclysms, for they ara neither brusque nor sadden.

“The dislocation of the poles, which appears to cause so much anxiety, is an annual occurrence.

“Certain features of Mars are quite enigmatic; for instance, the changes in the Martian country known by aerographs>nder the name of the Lake of the Sun. This is a spot, rcnad?or£oval, and about the size of Franca. “Sometimes this spot appears quite round, sometimes oblong, sometimes simple and homogeneous, or perhaps double, triple, quadruple, or even multiple. In addition, it is connected with its snrrondniugs by numerous canals and these are also variable according to the seasons. “These variations have been very noticeable this year, but they do not explain everything, and wa find no plausible hypothesis to satisfy us. la it water or vegetation, more or less abundant? “Out of all this we may infer, not the end of Mars, but, on the contrary, a prodigious vital activity. Mars Is a living world, but unfortunately we are not yet able to observe if sufficiently closely.

“There is no doubt, however, that we shall one day have the means cf doing so and of satisfying our curiosity. ” Louden, January 3, __

Lowell states shat the new Martian canals arc strikingly evident eastwards cf Yerkes, and denote the presence of animate will.