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seasons on the Earth and tinG that the same causes
-xst IN Mercury, we should at once concade
mat the inhabitants of that planet are blessed with
ne same succession OF summer and winter. Now
the simple cause of the seasons on the Earth Is
inclination of h~r axis the plane OF her orbit so
hat the North Pole may point toward the sun one
laf the year, and away from him the other. As
tronomers nave not vet been able TO discover the
the inclination OF Mercury's axis to the plane OF his
,rbit, ii any exists; its proximity 10 the Sun pre-
vents their do ng this. Some German astrono-
ners and Others nave arrived at what appears to
be probable conjecture, that Mercury axis Is ia
cued, and to a greater degree than the Earth :,
and that therefore, 1t has greater variety OF sea-
IONS than ours. That Mercury has an atmosphere
IS shown by the mntability OF the spots her
iisc. Thu, we find that Mercury mas an atmo-
-phere and the vicissitudes of day and night-cir-
cumstances necessary TO Il, it for the habtaton OF
aanals A. TO the seasons all We know OF them
rests conjecture, and we must wat until the I'M
proved pawers OF the telescope shall disclose 10
farther knowledge.


The distance of Mercury compared with that of
the Earth is tGro to fire; the Sun, therefore,
seen from Mercury bears the proportion TO il
seen from the Earth OF IRE to tao. while it, mag
ntude compared with that seen from the Earth Is
- to 4. But numbers do not convey even 10
the scientific mind clear notion actual vision
II may be well To illustrate it by diagram. The
lecturer here exhibited diagram showing the
comparative sizes. This is not matter OF mere
curiosity: for the quantity OF light and heat re-
;eived depends upon the magnitude OF the Sun as
seen from that planet: at Mercury the light and
neat are about six times as Intense as with


Before dismissing this planet l will observe
that its surface has mountains than the Earth
md they are moreover higher. (By measuring the
length of the shadows cast by, and the inclination
Of these mountains, easily calculate their
night.) shall omit all consideration Of Mercury's
phases until come to the discussion OF the
Moon, which presents phenomena precisely sin
lar. One point ascer,alned is curious though ct
course accidental; the Southera Hemisphere Of
Mercuryis more mountainous than the Northern-
fact which tnds analogy IL the Earth.


Venus is the next planet in the order OF our OBJ
>ervations. She moves next TO Mercury dis
rance Of 70O00,O00 of miles from the Sun. Il
Nil readily be perceived that by reason OF her
greater distance from the Sun, Venus is In much
more favorable circumstances for observation than
alercury. Venus is globe nearly equal to the
Earth in magnitude, her diameter being only geo