MOUNTAINS IN THE MOON.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5278, 23 February 1878, Page 1 (Supplement)

MOUNTAINS IN THE MOON.

It ia an ascertained tact that there are three classes of lunar mountains. The first of those consists of t isolated, - separate, distinct mountains of a very curious character. - The distinguished characteristics of these mountains is this—they start up from a plain quite suddenly. ' On the earth it is well known that mountains generally go up in ranges of groups,but we find ■ these isolated lunar mountains standing up entirely apart, never having been connected with anyirange. The ;ohe named iPioo is 9000 feet high. ; This mountain has the form of an: immense - sugar-loaf, aud if our readers' can imagine a fairly proportionate sugar-loaf 9000 feet.in height, and; themselves situated upon it, so as to be able to look d >wu upon its apex, they will have an appropriate idea of the appearance of Pico. There are other mountains of a similar description scat-’ ■ tered over the moon's surface, and these mountains not only stand apart from,each other, butwhat is still. more remarkable, the 'plains l on which they, stand are but; slightly disturbed; How singular, (then, the influence which shot the mountains up, 9000 feet, and i yet- scarcely disturbed the immediate neighborhood. ’ ‘ The - second class, of i lunar elevations consists'of mountain ranges: How, this is the principal feature of the mountains on the’iearth. ' This phenomenon is also found in the moon : but i there it •is an exception ;; only two ! principal ranges are found,- aud these appear to have been originally only one range. One is called the Appenines.- Ttds so well defined that just; as> the line of.light is passing through the moon, you will think it is, generally speaking, a crack in its surface, hut a - telescope Of ordinary power - will at once manifest it to be a range of mountains. The lunar Appenines may be compared with the.loftiest range of mountains',on earth.; It is 18,000 feet high, and there is another still; higher, rising ; 25,000 feet above its base. In this feature, then, the moon corresponds with the , earth, but. with this difference—What is the rule on the earth is the exception in the moon.-,|; .. . ■