第7章

Itwouldhaveseemedtothemquiteinsufficienttocarrythemtotheend。Itwasbecausetheprojectilethen"weighed"almostnothing。

Itsweightwaseverdecreasing，andwouldbeentirelyannihilatedonthatlinewherethelunarandterrestrialattractionswouldneutralizeeachother。

Butinspiteofhispreoccupation，MichelArdandidnotforgettopreparethemorningrepastwithhisaccustomedpunctuality。

Theyatewithagoodappetite。Nothingwassoexcellentasthesoupliquefiedbytheheatofthegas；nothingbetterthanthepreservedmeat。SomeglassesofgoodFrenchwinecrownedtherepast，causingMichelArdantoremarkthatthelunarvines，warmedbythatardentsun，oughttodistillevenmoregenerouswines；thatis，iftheyexisted。Inanycase，thefar-seeingFrenchmanhadtakencarenottoforgetinhiscollectionsomepreciouscuttingsoftheMedocandCoted\'Or，uponwhichhefoundedhishopes。

ReisetandRegnaut\'sapparatusworkedwithgreatregularity。

Notanatomofcarbonicacidresistedthepotash；andastotheoxygen，CaptainNichollsaid"itwasofthefirstquality。"

Thelittlewateryvaporenclosedintheprojectilemixingwiththeairtemperedthedryness；andmanyapartmentsinLondon，Paris，orNewYork，andmanytheaters，werecertainlynotinsuchahealthycondition。

Butthatitmightactwithregularity，theapparatusmustbekeptinperfectorder；soeachmorningMichelvisitedtheescaperegulators，triedthetaps，andregulatedtheheatofthegasbythepyrometer。Everythinghadgonewelluptothattime，andthetravelers，imitatingtheworthyJosephT。Maston，begantoacquireadegreeofembonpointwhichwouldhaverenderedthemunrecognizableiftheirimprisonmenthadbeenprolongedtosomemonths。Inaword，theybehavedlikechickensinacoop；

theyweregettingfat。

InlookingthroughthescuttleBarbicanesawthespecterofthedog，andotherdiversobjectswhichhadbeenthrownfromtheprojectile，obstinatelyfollowingthem。DianahowledlugubriouslyonseeingtheremainsofSatellite，whichseemedasmotionlessasiftheyreposedonsolidearth。

"Doyouknow，myfriends，"saidMichelArdan，"thatifoneofushadsuccumbedtotheshockconsequentondeparture，weshouldhavehadagreatdealoftroubletoburyhim？WhatamIsaying？

to_etherize_him，ashereethertakestheplaceofearth。

Youseetheaccusingbodywouldhavefollowedusintospacelikearemorse。"

"Thatwouldhavebeensad，"saidNicholl。

"Ah！"continuedMichel，"whatIregretisnotbeingabletotakeawalkoutside。Whatvoluptuousnesstofloatamidthisradiantether，tobatheoneselfinit，towraponeselfinthesun\'spurerays。

IfBarbicanehadonlythoughtoffurnishinguswithadivingapparatusandanair-pump，Icouldhaveventuredoutandassumedfancifulattitudesoffeignedmonstersonthetopoftheprojectile。"

"Well，oldMichel，"repliedBarbicane，"youwouldnothavemadeafeignedmonsterlong，forinspiteofyourdiver\'sdress，swollenbytheexpansionofairwithinyou，youwouldhaveburstlikeashell，orratherlikeaballoonwhichhasrisentoohigh。Sodonotregretit，anddonotforgetthis——aslongaswefloatinspace，allsentimentalwalksbeyondtheprojectileareforbidden。"

MichelArdanallowedhimselftobeconvincedtoacertainextent。

Headmittedthatthethingwasdifficultbutnotimpossible，awordwhichheneveruttered。

Theconversationpassedfromthissubjecttoanother，notfailinghimforaninstant。Itseemedtothethreefriendsasthough，underpresentconditions，ideasshotupintheirbrainsasleavesshootatthefirstwarmthofspring。Theyfeltbewildered。Inthemiddleofthequestionsandanswerswhichcrossedeachother，Nichollputonequestionwhichdidnotfindanimmediatesolution。

"Ah，indeed！"saidhe；"itisallverywelltogotothemoon，buthowtogetbackagain？"

Histwointerlocutorslookedsurprised。Onewouldhavethoughtthatthispossibilitynowoccurredtothemforthefirsttime。

"Whatdoyoumeanbythat，Nicholl？"askedBarbicanegravely。

"Toaskformeanstoleaveacountry，"addedMichel，"Whenwehavenotyetarrivedthere，seemstomeratherinopportune。"

"Idonotsaythat，wishingtodrawback，"repliedNicholl；

"butIrepeatmyquestion，andIask，`Howshallwereturn？\'"

"Iknownothingaboutit，"answeredBarbicane。

"AndI，"saidMichel，"ifIhadknownhowtoreturn，Iwouldneverhavestarted。"

"There\'sananswer！"criedNicholl。

"IquiteapproveofMichel\'swords，"saidBarbicane；"andadd，thatthequestionhasnorealinterest。Later，whenwethinkitisadvisabletoreturn，wewilltakecounseltogether。IftheColumbiadisnotthere，theprojectilewillbe。"

"Thatisastepcertainly。Aballwithoutagun！"

"Thegun，"repliedBarbicane，"canbemanufactured。Thepowdercanbemade。Neithermetals，saltpeter，norcoalcanfailinthedepthsofthemoon，andweneedonlygo8，000leaguesinordertofallupontheterrestrialglobebyvirtueofthemerelawsofweight。"

"Enough，"saidMichelwithanimation。"Letitbenolongeraquestionofreturning:wehavealreadyentertainedittoolong。

Astocommunicatingwithourformerearthlycolleagues，thatwillnotbedifficult。"

"Andhow？"

"Bymeansofmeteorslaunchedbylunarvolcanoes。"

"Wellthoughtof，Michel，"saidBarbicaneinaconvincedtoneofvoice。"Laplacehascalculatedthataforcefivetimesgreaterthanthatofourgunwouldsufficetosendameteorfromthemoontotheearth，andthereisnotonevolcanowhichhasnotagreaterpowerofpropulsionthanthat。"

"Hurrah！"exclaimedMichel；"thesemeteorsarehandypostmen，andcostnothing。Andhowweshallbeabletolaughatthepost-officeadministration！ButnowIthinkofit——"

"Whatdoyouthinkof？"

"Acapitalidea。Whydidwenotfastenathreadtoourprojectile，andwecouldhaveexchangedtelegramswiththeearth？"

"Thedeuce！"answeredNicholl。"Doyouconsidertheweightofathread250，000mileslongnothing？"

"Asnothing。TheycouldhavetrebledtheColumbiad\'scharge；

theycouldhavequadrupledorquintupledit！"exclaimedMichel，withwhomtheverbtookahigherintonationeachtime。

"Thereisbutonelittleobjectiontomaketoyourproposition，"

repliedBarbicane，"whichisthat，duringtherotarymotionoftheglobe，ourthreadwouldhavewounditselfrounditlikeachainonacapstan，andthatitwouldinevitablyhavebroughtustotheground。"

"Bythethirty-ninestarsoftheUnion！"saidMichel，"Ihavenothingbutimpracticableideasto-day；ideasworthyofJ。

T。Maston。ButIhaveanotionthat，ifwedonotreturntoearth，J。T。Mastonwillbeabletocometous。"

"Yes，he\'llcome，"repliedBarbicane；"heisaworthyandacourageouscomrade。Besides，whatiseasier？IsnottheColumbiadstillburiedinthesoilofFlorida？Iscottonandnitricacidwantedwherewithtomanufacturethepyroxyle？

WillnotthemoonpassthezenithofFlorida？Ineighteenyears\'timewillshenotoccupyexactlythesameplaceasto-day？"

"Yes，"continuedMichel，"yes，Mastonwillcome，andwithhimourfriendsElphinstone，Blomsberry，allthemembersoftheGunClub，andtheywillbewellreceived。Andbyandbytheywillruntrainsofprojectilesbetweentheearthandthemoon！

HurrahforJ。T。Maston！"

Itisprobablethat，iftheHon。J。T。Mastondidnothearthehurrahsutteredinhishonor，hisearsatleasttingled。Whatwashedoingthen？Doubtless，postedintheRockyMountains，atthestationofLong\'sPeak，hewastryingtofindtheinvisibleprojectilegravitatinginspace。Ifhewasthinkingofhisdearcompanions，wemustallowthattheywerenotfarbehindhim；andthat，undertheinfluenceofastrangeexcitement，theyweredevotingtohimtheirbestthoughts。

Butwhencethisexcitement，whichwasevidentlygrowinguponthetenantsoftheprojectile？Theirsobrietycouldnotbedoubted。

Thisstrangeirritationofthebrain，mustitbeattributedtothepeculiarcircumstancesunderwhichtheyfoundthemselves，totheirproximitytotheorbofnight，fromwhichonlyafewhoursseparatedthem，tosomesecretinfluenceofthemoonactingupontheirnervoussystem？Theirfaceswereasrosyasiftheyhadbeenexposedtotheroaringflamesofanoven；theirvoicesresoundedinloudaccents；theirwordsescapedlikeachampagnecorkdrivenoutbycarbonicacid；theirgesturesbecameannoying，theywantedsomuchroomtoperformthem；and，strangetosay，theynoneofthemnoticedthisgreattensionofthemind。

"Now，"saidNicholl，inashorttone，"nowthatIdonotknowwhetherweshalleverreturnfromthemoon，Iwanttoknowwhatwearegoingtodothere？"

"Whatwearegoingtodothere？"repliedBarbicane，stampingwithhisfootasifhewasinafencingsaloon；"Idonotknow。"

"Youdonotknow！"exclaimedMichel，withabellowwhichprovokedasonorousechointheprojectile。

"No，Ihavenoteventhoughtaboutit，"retortedBarbicane，inthesameloudtone。

"Well，Iknow，"repliedMichel。

"Speak，then，"criedNicholl，whocouldnolongercontainthegrowlingofhisvoice。

"Ishallspeakifitsuitsme，"exclaimedMichel，seizinghiscompanions\'armswithviolence。

"_Itmust_suityou，"saidBarbicane，withaneyeonfireandathreateninghand。"Itwasyouwhodrewusintothisfrightfuljourney，andwewanttoknowwhatfor。"

"Yes，"saidthecaptain，"nowthatIdonotknow_where_Iamgoing，Iwanttoknow_why_Iamgoing。"

"Why？"exclaimedMichel，jumpingayardhigh，"why？TotakepossessionofthemooninthenameoftheUnitedStates；toaddafortiethStatetotheUnion；tocolonizethelunarregions；

tocultivatethem，topeoplethem，totransportthitheralltheprodigiesofart，ofscience，andindustry；tocivilizetheSelenites，unlesstheyaremorecivilizedthanweare；andtoconstitutethemarepublic，iftheyarenotalreadyone！"

"AndiftherearenoSelenites？"retortedNicholl，who，undertheinfluenceofthisunaccountableintoxication，wasverycontradictory。

"WhosaidthattherewerenoSelenites？"exclaimedMichelinathreateningtone。

"Ido，"howledNicholl。

"Captain，"saidMichel，"donotrepreatthatinsolence，orI

willknockyourteethdownyourthroat！"

Thetwoadversariesweregoingtofalluponeachother，andtheincoherentdiscussionthreatenedtomergeintoafight，whenBarbicaneintervenedwithonebound。

"Stop，miserablemen，"saidhe，separatinghistwocompanions；

"iftherearenoSelenites，wewilldowithoutthem。"

"Yes，"exclaimedMichel，whowasnotparticular；"yes，wewilldowithoutthem。WehaveonlytomakeSelenites。DownwiththeSelenites！"

"Theempireofthemoonbelongstous，"saidNicholl。

"Letusthreeconstitutetherepublic。"

"Iwillbethecongress，"criedMichel。

"AndIthesenate，"retortedNicholl。

"AndBarbicane，thepresident，"howledMichel。

"Notapresidentelectedbythenation，"repliedBarbicane。

"Verywell，apresidentelectedbythecongress，"criedMichel；

"andasIamthecongress，youareunanimouslyelected！"

"Hurrah！hurrah！hurrah！forPresidentBarbicane，"exclaimedNicholl。

"Hip！hip！hip！"vociferatedMichelArdan。

Thenthepresidentandthesenatestruckupinatremendousvoicethepopularsong"YankeeDoodle，"whilefromthecongressresoundedthemasculinetonesofthe"Marseillaise。"

Thentheystruckupafranticdance，withmaniacalgestures，idioticstampings，andsomersaultslikethoseofthebonelessclownsinthecircus。Diana，joininginthedance，andhowlinginherturn，jumpedtothetopoftheprojectile。Anunaccountableflappingofwingswasthenheardamidmostfantasticcock-crows，whilefiveorsixhensflutteredlikebatsagainstthewalls。

Thenthethreetravelingcompanions，acteduponbysomeunaccountableinfluenceabovethatofintoxication，inflamedbytheairwhichhadsettheirrespiratoryapparatusonfire，fellmotionlesstothebottomoftheprojectile。

CHAPTERVIII

ATSEVENTY-EIGHTTHOUSANDFIVEHUNDREDANDFOURTEENLEAGUES

Whathadhappened？Whencethecauseofthissingularintoxication，theconsequencesofwhichmighthavebeenverydisastrous？AsimpleblunderofMichel\'s，which，fortunately，Nichollwasabletocorrectintime。

Afteraperfectswoon，whichlastedsomeminutes，thecaptain，recoveringfirst，sooncollectedhisscatteredsenses。

Althoughhehadbreakfastedonlytwohoursbefore，hefeltagnawinghunger，asifhehadnoteatenanythingforseveraldays。

Everythingabouthim，stomachandbrain，wereoverexcitedtothehighestdegree。HegotupanddemandedfromMichelasupplementaryrepast。Michel，utterlydoneup，didnotanswer。

Nichollthentriedtopreparesometeadestinedtohelptheabsorptionofadozensandwiches。Hefirsttriedtogetsomefire，andstruckamatchsharply。Whatwashissurprisetoseethesulphurshinewithsoextraordinaryabrilliancyastobealmostunbearabletotheeye。Fromthegas-burnerwhichhelitroseaflameequaltoajetofelectriclight。

ArevelationdawnedonNicholl\'smind。Thatintensityoflight，thephysiologicaltroubleswhichhadariseninhim，theoverexcitementofallhismoralandquarrelsomefaculties——heunderstoodall。

"Theoxygen！"heexclaimed。

Andleaningovertheairapparatus，hesawthatthetapwasallowingthecolorlessgastoescapefreely，life-giving，butinitspurestateproducingthegravestdisordersinthesystem。

Michelhadblunderinglyopenedthetapoftheapparatustothefull。

Nichollhastenedtostoptheescapeofoxygenwithwhichtheatmospherewassaturated，whichwouldhavebeenthedeathofthetravelers，notbysuffocation，butbycombustion。Anhourlater，theairlesschargedwithitrestoredthelungstotheirnormalcondition。Bydegreesthethreefriendsrecoveredfromtheirintoxication；buttheywereobligedtosleepthemselvessoberovertheiroxygenasadrunkarddoesoverhiswine。

WhenMichellearnedhisshareoftheresponsibilityofthisincident，hewasnotmuchdisconcerted。Thisunexpecteddrunkennessbrokethemonotonyofthejourney。Manyfoolishthingshadbeensaidwhileunderitsinfluence，butalsoquicklyforgotten。

"Andthen，"addedthemerryFrenchman，"Iamnotsorrytohavetastedalittleofthisheadygas。Doyouknow，myfriends，thatacuriousestablishmentmightbefoundedwithroomsofoxygen，wherepeoplewhosesystemisweakenedcouldforafewhoursliveamoreactivelife。Fancypartieswheretheroomwassaturatedwiththisheroicfluid，theaterswhereitshouldbekeptathighpressure；whatpassioninthesoulsoftheactorsandspectators！whatfire，whatenthusiasm！Andif，insteadofanassemblyonlyawholepeoplecouldbesaturated，whatactivityinitsfunctions，whatasupplementtolifeitwouldderive。

Fromanexhaustednationtheymightmakeagreatandstrongone，andIknowmorethanonestateinoldEuropewhichoughttoputitselfundertheregimeofoxygenforthesakeofitshealth！"

Michelspokewithsomuchanimationthatonemighthavefanciedthatthetapwasstilltooopen。ButafewwordsfromBarbicanesoonshatteredhisenthusiasm。

"Thatisallverywell，friendMichel，"saidhe，"butwillyouinformuswherethesechickenscamefromwhichhavemixedthemselvesupinourconcert？"

"Thosechickens？"

"Yes。"

Indeed，halfadozenchickensandafinecockwerewalkingabout，flappingtheirwingsandchattering。

"Ah，theawkwardthings！"exclaimedMichel。"Theoxygenhasmadethemrevolt。"

"Butwhatdoyouwanttodowiththesechickens？"askedBarbicane。

"Toacclimatizetheminthemoon，byJove！"

"Thenwhydidyouhidethem？"

"Ajoke，myworthypresident，asimplejoke，whichhasprovedamiserablefailure。Iwantedtosetthemfreeonthelunarcontinent，withoutsayinganything。Oh，whatwouldhavebeenyouramazementonseeingtheseearthly-wingedanimalspeckinginyourlunarfields！"

"Yourascal，youunmitigatedrascal，"repliedBarbicane，"youdonotwantoxygentomounttothehead。Youarealwayswhatwewereundertheinfluenceofthegas；youarealwaysfoolish！"

"Ah，whosaysthatwewerenotwisethen？"repliedMichelArdan。

Afterthisphilosophicalreflection，thethreefriendssetaboutrestoringtheorderoftheprojectile。Chickensandcockwerereinstatedintheircoop。Butwhileproceedingwiththisoperation，Barbicaneandhistwocompanionshadamostdesiredperceptionofanewphenomenon。Fromthemomentofleavingtheearth，theirownweight，thatoftheprojectile，andtheobjectsitenclosed，hadbeensubjecttoanincreasingdiminution。Iftheycouldnotprovethislossoftheprojectile，amomentwouldarrivewhenitwouldbesensiblyfeltuponthemselvesandtheutensilsandinstrumentstheyused。

Itisneedlesstosaythatascalewouldnotshowthisloss；fortheweightdestinedtoweighttheobjectwouldhavelostexactlyasmuchastheobjectitself；butaspringsteelyardforexample，thetensionofwhichwasindependentoftheattraction，wouldhavegivenajustestimateofthisloss。

Weknowthattheattraction，otherwisecalledtheweight，isinproportiontothedensitiesofthebodies，andinverselyasthesquaresofthedistances。Hencethiseffect:Iftheearthhadbeenaloneinspace，iftheothercelestialbodieshadbeensuddenlyannihilated，theprojectile，accordingtoNewton\'slaws，wouldweighlessasitgotfartherfromtheearth，butwithouteverlosingitsweightentirely，fortheterrestrialattractionwouldalwayshavemadeitselffelt，atwhateverdistance。

But，inreality，atimemustcomewhentheprojectilewouldnolongerbesubjecttothelawofweight，afterallowingfortheothercelestialbodieswhoseeffectcouldnotbesetdownaszero。

Indeed，theprojectile\'scoursewasbeingtracedbetweentheearthandthemoon。Asitdistancedtheearth，theterrestrialattractiondiminished:butthelunarattractionroseinproportion。Theremustcomeapointwherethesetwoattractionswouldneutralizeeachother:theprojectilewouldpossessweightnolonger。Ifthemoon\'sandtheearth\'sdensitieshadbeenequal，thispointwouldhavebeenatanequaldistancebetweenthetwoorbs。Buttakingthedifferentdensitiesintoconsideration，itwaseasytoreckonthatthispointwouldbesituatedat47/60thsofthewholejourney，_i。e。_，at78，514leaguesfromtheearth。Atthispoint，abodyhavingnoprincipleofspeedordisplacementinitself，wouldremainimmovableforever，beingattractedequallybybothorbs，andnotbeingdrawnmoretowardonethantowardtheother。

Nowiftheprojectile\'simpulsiveforcehadbeencorrectlycalculated，itwouldattainthispointwithoutspeed，havinglostalltraceofweight，aswellasalltheobjectswithinit。

Whatwouldhappenthen？Threehypothesespresentedthemselves。

1。Eitheritwouldretainacertainamountofmotion，andpassthepointofequalattraction，andfalluponthemoonbyvirtueoftheexcessofthelunarattractionovertheterrestrial。

2。Or，itsspeedfailing，andunabletoreachthepointofequalattraction，itwouldfalluponthemoonbyvirtueoftheexcessofthelunarattractionovertheterrestrial。

3。Or，lastly，animatedwithsufficientspeedtoenableittoreachtheneutralpoint，butnotsufficienttopassit，itwouldremainforeversuspendedinthatspotlikethepretendedtombofMahomet，betweenthezenithandthenadir。

Suchwastheirsituation；andBarbicaneclearlyexplainedtheconsequencestohistravelingcompanions，whichgreatlyinterestedthem。Buthowshouldtheyknowwhentheprojectilehadreachedthisneutralpointsituatedatthatdistance，especiallywhenneitherthemselves，northeobjectsenclosedintheprojectile，wouldbeanylongersubjecttothelawsofweight？

Uptothistime，thetravelers，whileadmittingthatthisactionwasconstantlydecreasing，hadnotyetbecomesensibletoitstotalabsence。

Butthatday，abouteleveno\'clockinthemorning，Nichollhavingaccidentallyletaglassslipfromhishand，theglass，insteadoffalling，remainedsuspendedintheair。

"Ah！"exclaimedMichelArdan，"thatisratheranamusingpieceofnaturalphilosophy。"

Andimmediatelydiversotherobjects，firearmsandbottles，abandonedtothemselves，heldthemselvesupasbyenchantment。

Dianatoo，placedinspacebyMichel，reproduced，butwithoutanytrick，thewonderfulsuspensionpracticedbyCastonandRobertHoudin。Indeedthedogdidnotseemtoknowthatshewasfloatinginair。

Thethreeadventurouscompanionsweresurprisedandstupefied，despitetheirscientificreasonings。Theyfeltthemselvesbeingcarriedintothedomainofwonders！theyfeltthatweightwasreallywantingtotheirbodies。Iftheystretchedouttheirarms，theydidnotattempttofall。Theirheadsshookontheirshoulders。Theirfeetnolongerclungtotheflooroftheprojectile。Theywerelikedrunkenmenhavingnostabilityinthemselves。

Fancyhasdepictedmenwithoutreflection，otherswithoutshadow。

Butherereality，bytheneutralizationsofattractiveforces，producedmeninwhomnothinghadanyweight，andwhoweighednothingthemselves。

SuddenlyMichel，takingaspring，leftthefloorandremainedsuspendedintheair，likeMurillo\'smonkofthe_CusinedesAnges_。

Thetwofriendsjoinedhiminstantly，andallthreeformedamiraculous"Ascension"inthecenteroftheprojectile。

"Isittobebelieved？isitprobable？isitpossible？"

exclaimedMichel；"andyetitisso。Ah！ifRaphaelhadseenusthus，whatan`Assumption\'hewouldhavethrownuponcanvas！"

"The`Assumption\'cannotlast，"repliedBarbicane。"Iftheprojectilepassestheneutralpoint，thelunarattractionwilldrawustothemoon。"

"Thenourfeetwillbeupontheroof，"repliedMichel。

"No，"saidBarbicane，"becausetheprojectile\'scenterofgravityisverylow；itwillonlyturnbydegrees。"

"Thenallourportableswillbeupsetfromtoptobottom，thatisafact。"

"Calmyourself，Michel，"repliedNicholl；"noupsetistobefeared；notathingwillmove，fortheprojectile\'sevolutionwillbeimperceptible。"

"Justso，"continuedBarbicane；"andwhenithaspassedthepointofequalattraction，itsbase，beingtheheavier，willdrawitperpendicularlytothemoon；but，inorderthatthisphenomenonshouldtakeplace，wemusthavepassedtheneutralline。"

"Passtheneutralline，"criedMichel；"thenletusdoasthesailorsdowhentheycrosstheequator。"

AslightsidemovementbroughtMichelbacktowardthepaddedside；thencehetookabottleandglasses，placedthem"inspace"beforehiscompanions，and，drinkingmerrily，theysalutedthelinewithatriplehurrah。Theinfluenceoftheseattractionsscarcelylastedanhour；thetravelersfeltthemselvesinsensiblydrawntowardthefloor，andBarbicanefanciedthattheconicalendoftheprojectilewasvaryingalittlefromitsnormaldirectiontowardthemoon。Byaninversemotionthebasewasapproachingfirst；thelunarattractionwasprevailingovertheterrestrial；thefalltowardthemoonwasbeginning，almostimperceptiblyasyet，butbydegreestheattractiveforcewouldbecomestronger，thefallwouldbemoredecided，theprojectile，drawnbyitsbase，wouldturnitsconetotheearth，andfallwithever-increasingspeedontothesurfaceoftheSelenitecontinent；theirdestinationwouldthenbeattained。Nownothingcouldpreventthesuccessoftheirenterprise，andNichollandMichelArdansharedBarbicane\'sjoy。

Thentheychattedofallthephenomenawhichhadastonishedthemoneaftertheother，particularlytheneutralizationofthelawsofweight。MichelArdan，alwaysenthusiastic，drewconclusionswhichwerepurelyfanciful。

"Ah，myworthyfriends，"heexclaimed，"whatprogressweshouldmakeifonearthwecouldthrowoffsomeofthatweight，someofthatchainwhichbindsustoher；itwouldbetheprisonersetatliberty；nomorefatigueofeitherarmsorlegs。Or，ifitistruethatinordertoflyontheearth\'ssurface，tokeeponeselfsuspendedintheairmerelybytheplayofthemuscles，thererequiresastrengthahundredandfiftytimesgreaterthanthatwhichwepossess，asimpleactofvolition，acaprice，wouldbearusintospace，ifattractiondidnotexist。"

"Justso，"saidNicholl，smiling；"ifwecouldsucceedinsuppressingweightastheysuppresspainbyanaesthesia，thatwouldchangethefaceofmodernsociety！"

"Yes，"criedMichel，fullofhissubject，"destroyweight，andnomoreburdens！"

"Wellsaid，"repliedBarbicane；"butifnothinghadanyweight，nothingwouldkeepinitsplace，notevenyourhatonyourhead，worthyMichel；noryourhouse，whosestonesonlyadherebyweight；noraboat，whosestabilityonthewavesisonlycausedbyweight；noteventheocean，whosewaveswouldnolongerbeequalizedbyterrestrialattraction；andlastly，noteventheatmosphere，whoseatoms，beingnolongerheldintheirplaces，woulddisperseinspace！"

"Thatistiresome，"retortedMichel；"nothinglikethesematter-of-factpeopleforbringingonebacktothebarereality。"

"Butconsoleyourself，Michel，"continuedBarbicane，"forifnoorbexistsfromwhencealllawsofweightarebanished，youareatleastgoingtovisitonewhereitismuchlessthanontheearth。"

"Themoon？"

"Yes，themoon，onwhosesurfaceobjectsweighsixtimeslessthanontheearth，aphenomenoneasytoprove。"

"Andweshallfeelit？"askedMichel。

"Evidently，astwohundredpoundswillonlyweighthirtypoundsonthesurfaceofthemoon。"

"Andourmuscularstrengthwillnotdiminish？"

"Notatall；insteadofjumpingoneyardhigh，youwillriseeighteenfeethigh。"

"ButweshallberegularHerculesesinthemoon！"exclaimedMichel。

"Yes，"repliedNicholl；"foriftheheightoftheSelenitesisinproportiontothedensityoftheirglobe，theywillbescarcelyafoothigh。"

"Lilliputians！"ejaculatedMichel；"IshallplaythepartofGulliver。Wearegoingtorealizethefableofthegiants。

Thisistheadvantageofleavingone\'sownplanetandover-runningthesolarworld。"

"Onemoment，Michel，"answeredBarbicane；"ifyouwishtoplaythepartofGulliver，onlyvisittheinferiorplanets，suchasMercury，Venus，orMars，whosedensityisalittlelessthanthatoftheearth；butdonotventureintothegreatplanets，Jupiter，Saturn，Uranus，Neptune；fortheretheorderwillbechanged，andyouwillbecomeLilliputian。"

"Andinthesun？"

"Inthesun，ifitsdensityisthirteenhundredandtwenty-fourthousandtimesgreater，andtheattractionistwenty-seventimesgreaterthanonthesurfaceofourglobe，keepingeverythinginproportion，theinhabitantsoughttobeatleasttwohundredfeethigh。"

"ByJove！"exclaimedMichel；"Ishouldbenothingmorethanapigmy，ashrimp！"

"Gulliverwiththegiants，"saidNicholl。

"Justso，"repliedBarbicane。

"Anditwouldnotbequiteuselesstocarrysomepiecesofartillerytodefendoneself。"

"Good，"repliedNicholl；"yourprojectileswouldhavenoeffectonthesun；theywouldfallbackupontheearthaftersomeminutes。"

"Thatisastrongremark。"

"Itiscertain，"repliedBarbicane；"theattractionissogreatonthisenormousorb，thatanobjectweighing70，000poundsontheearthwouldweighbut1，920poundsonthesurfaceofthesun。

Ifyouweretofalluponityouwouldweigh——letmesee——about5，000pounds，aweightwhichyouwouldneverbeabletoraiseagain。"

"Thedevil！"saidMichel；"onewouldwantaportablecrane。

However，wewillbesatisfiedwiththemoonforthepresent；

thereatleastweshallcutagreatfigure。Wewillseeaboutthesunbyandby。"

CHAPTERIX

THECONSEQUENCESOFADEVIATION

Barbicanehadnownofearoftheissueofthejourney，atleastasfarastheprojectile\'simpulsiveforcewasconcerned；itsownspeedwouldcarryitbeyondtheneutralline；itwouldcertainlynotreturntoearth；itwouldcertainlynotremainmotionlessonthelineofattraction。Onesinglehypothesisremainedtoberealized，thearrivaloftheprojectileatitsdestinationbytheactionofthelunarattraction。

Itwasinrealityafallof8，296leaguesonanorb，itistrue，whereweightcouldonlybereckonedatonesixthofterrestrialweight；aformidablefall，nevertheless，andoneagainstwhicheveryprecautionmustbetakenwithoutdelay。

Theseprecautionswereoftwosorts，sometodeadentheshockwhentheprojectileshouldtouchthelunarsoil，otherstodelaythefall，andconsequentlymakeitlessviolent。

Todeadentheshock，itwasapitythatBarbicanewasnolongerabletoemploythemeanswhichhadsoablyweakenedtheshockatdeparture，thatistosay，bywaterusedasspringsandthepartitionbreaks。

Thepartitionsstillexisted，butwaterfailed，fortheycouldnotusetheirreserve，whichwasprecious，incaseduringthefirstdaystheliquidelementshouldbefoundwantingonlunarsoil。

Andindeedthisreservewouldhavebeenquiteinsufficientforaspring。Thelayerofwaterstoredintheprojectileatthetimeofstartingupontheirjourneyoccupiednolessthanthreefeetindepth，andspreadoverasurfaceofnotlessthanfifty-foursquarefeet。Besides，thecisterndidnotcontainone-fifthpartofit；theymustthereforegiveupthisefficientmeansofdeadeningtheshockofarrival。Happily，Barbicane，notcontentwithemployingwater，hadfurnishedthemovablediscwithstrongspringplugs，destinedtolessentheshockagainstthebaseafterthebreakingofthehorizontalpartitions。

Theseplugsstillexisted；theyhadonlytoreadjustthemandreplacethemovabledisc；everypiece，easytohandle，astheirweightwasnowscarcelyfelt，wasquicklymounted。

Thedifferentpieceswerefittedwithouttrouble，itbeingonlyamatterofboltsandscrews；toolswerenotwanting，andsoonthereinstateddisclayonsteelplugs，likeatableonitslegs。

Oneinconvenienceresultedfromthereplacingofthedisc，thelowerwindowwasblockedup；thusitwasimpossibleforthetravelerstoobservethemoonfromthatopeningwhiletheywerebeingprecipitatedperpendicularlyuponher；buttheywereobligedtogiveitup；evenbythesideopeningstheycouldstillseevastlunarregions，asanaeronautseestheearthfromhiscar。

Thisreplacingofthediscwasatleastanhour\'swork。Itwaspasttwelvewhenallpreparationswerefinished。Barbicanetookfreshobservationsontheinclinationoftheprojectile，buttohisannoyanceithadnotturnedoversufficientlyforitsfall；

itseemedtotakeacurveparalleltothelunardisc。Theorbofnightshonesplendidlyintospace，whileopposite，theorbofdayblazedwithfire。

Theirsituationbegantomakethemuneasy。

"Arewereachingourdestination？"saidNicholl。

"Letusactasifwewereaboutreachingit，"repliedBarbicane。

"Youaresceptical，"retortedMichelArdan。"Weshallarrive，andthat，too，quickerthanwelike。"

ThisanswerbroughtBarbicanebacktohispreparations，andheoccupiedhimselfwithplacingthecontrivancesintendedtobreaktheirdescent。WemayrememberthesceneofthemeetingheldatTampaTown，inFlorida，whenCaptainNichollcameforwardasBarbicane\'senemyandMichelArdan\'sadversary。ToCaptainNicholl\'smaintainingthattheprojectilewouldsmashlikeglass，Michelrepliedthathewouldbreaktheirfallbymeansofrocketsproperlyplaced。

Thus，powerfulfireworks，takingtheirstarting-pointfromthebaseandburstingoutside，could，byproducingarecoil，checktoacertaindegreetheprojectile\'sspeed。Theserocketsweretoburninspace，itistrue；butoxygenwouldnotfailthem，fortheycouldsupplythemselveswithit，likethelunarvolcanoes，theburningofwhichhasneveryetbeenstoppedbythewantofatmosphereroundthemoon。

Barbicanehadaccordinglysuppliedhimselfwiththesefireworks，enclosedinlittlesteelguns，whichcouldbescrewedontothebaseoftheprojectile。Inside，thesegunswereflushwiththebottom；outside，theyprotrudedabouteighteeninches。Thereweretwentyofthem。Anopeningleftinthediscallowedthemtolightthematchwithwhicheachwasprovided。Alltheeffectwasfeltoutside。Theburningmixturehadalreadybeenrammedintoeachgun。Theyhad，then，nothingtodobutraisethemetallicbuffersfixedinthebase，andreplacethembytheguns，whichfittedcloselyintheirplaces。

Thisnewworkwasfinishedaboutthreeo\'clock，andaftertakingalltheseprecautionsthereremainedbuttowait。Buttheprojectilewasperceptiblynearingthemoon，andevidentlysuccumbedtoherinfluencetoacertaindegree；thoughitsownvelocityalsodrewitinanobliquedirection。Fromtheseconflictinginfluencesresultedalinewhichmightbecomeatangent。Butitwascertainthattheprojectilewouldnotfalldirectlyonthemoon；foritslowerpart，byreasonofitsweight，oughttobeturnedtowardher。

Barbicane\'suneasinessincreasedashesawhisprojectileresisttheinfluenceofgravitation。TheUnknownwasopeningbeforehim，theUnknownininterplanetaryspace。Themanofsciencethoughthehadforeseentheonlythreehypothesespossible——thereturntotheearth，thereturntothemoon，orstagnationontheneutralline；andhereafourthhypothesis，bigwithalltheterrorsoftheInfinite，surgedupinopportunely。Tofaceitwithoutflinching，onemustbearesolutesavantlikeBarbicane，aphlegmaticbeinglikeNicholl，oranaudaciousadventurerlikeMichelArdan。

Conversationwasstarteduponthissubject。Othermenwouldhaveconsideredthequestionfromapracticalpointofview；

theywouldhaveaskedthemselveswhithertheirprojectilecarriagewascarryingthem。Notsowiththese；theysoughtforthecausewhichproducedthiseffect。

"Sowehavebecomedivertedfromourroute，"saidMichel；"butwhy？"

"Iverymuchfear，"answeredNicholl，"that，inspiteofallprecautionstaken，theColumbiadwasnotfairlypointed。

Anerror，howeversmall，wouldbeenoughtothrowusoutofthemoon\'sattraction。"

"Thentheymusthaveaimedbadly？"askedMichel。

"Idonotthinkso，"repliedBarbicane。"Theperpendicularityofthegunwasexact，itsdirectiontothezenithofthespotincontestible；andthemoonpassingtothezenithofthespot，weoughttoreachitatthefull。Thereisanotherreason，butitescapesme。"

"Arewenotarrivingtoolate？"askedNicholl。

"Toolate？"saidBarbicane。

"Yes，"continuedNicholl。"TheCambridgeObservatory\'snotesaysthatthetransitoughttobeaccomplishedinninety-sevenhoursthirteenminutesandtwentyseconds；whichmeanstosay，that_sooner_themoonwill_not_beatthepointindicated，and_later_itwillhavepassedit。"

"True，"repliedBarbicane。"Butwestartedthe1stofDecember，atthirteenminutesandtwenty-fivesecondstoelevenatnight；

andweoughttoarriveonthe5thatmidnight，attheexactmomentwhenthemoonwouldbefull；andwearenowatthe5thofDecember。Itisnowhalf-pastthreeintheevening；

half-pasteightoughttoseeusattheendofourjourney。

Whydowenotarrive？"

"Mightitnotbeanexcessofspeed？"answeredNicholl；"forweknownowthatitsinitialvelocitywasgreaterthantheysupposed。"

"No！ahundredtimes，no！"repliedBarbicane。"Anexcessofspeed，ifthedirectionoftheprojectilehadbeenright，wouldnothavepreventedusreachingthemoon。No，therehasbeenadeviation。Wehavebeenturnedoutofourcourse。"

"Bywhom？bywhat？"askedNicholl。

"Icannotsay，"repliedBarbicane。

"Verywell，then，Barbicane，"saidMichel，"doyouwishtoknowmyopiniononthesubjectoffindingoutthisdeviation？"

"Speak。"

"Iwouldnotgivehalfadollartoknowit。Thatwehavedeviatedisafact。Wherewearegoingmatterslittle；weshallsoonsee。Sincewearebeingbornealonginspaceweshallendbyfallingintosomecenterofattractionorother。"

MichelArdan\'sindifferencedidnotcontentBarbicane。Notthathewasuneasyaboutthefuture，buthewantedtoknowatanycost_why_hisprojectilehaddeviated。

Buttheprojectilecontinueditscoursesidewaystothemoon，andwithitthemassofthingsthrownout。Barbicanecouldevenprove，bytheelevationswhichservedaslandmarksuponthemoon，whichwasonlytwothousandleaguesdistant，thatitsspeedwasbecominguniform——freshproofthattherewasnofall。

Itsimpulsiveforcestillprevailedoverthelunarattraction，buttheprojectile\'scoursewascertainlybringingitnearertothemoon，andtheymighthopethatatanearerpointtheweight，predominating，wouldcauseadecidedfall。

Thethreefriends，havingnothingbettertodo，continuedtheirobservations；buttheycouldnotyetdeterminethetopographicalpositionofthesatellite；everyreliefwasleveledunderthereflectionofthesolarrays。

Theywatchedthusthroughthesidewindowsuntileighto\'clockatnight。Themoonhadgrownsolargeintheireyesthatitfilledhalfofthefirmament。Thesunononeside，andtheorbofnightontheother，floodedtheprojectilewithlight。

AtthatmomentBarbicanethoughthecouldestimatethedistancewhichseparatedthemfromtheiraimatnomorethan700leagues。

Thespeedoftheprojectileseemedtohimtobemorethan200

yards，orabout170leaguesasecond。Underthecentripetalforce，thebaseoftheprojectiletendedtowardthemoon；butthecentrifugalstillprevailed；anditwasprobablethatitsrectilinealcoursewouldbechangedtoacurveofsomesort，thenatureofwhichtheycouldnotatpresentdetermine。

Barbicanewasstillseekingthesolutionofhisinsolubleproblem。

Hourspassedwithoutanyresult。Theprojectilewasevidentlynearingthemoon，butitwasalsoevidentthatitwouldneverreachher。Astothenearestdistanceatwhichitwouldpassher，thatmustbetheresultoftwoforces，attractionandrepulsion，affectingitsmotion。

"Iaskbutonething，"saidMichel；"thatwemaypassnearenoughtopenetratehersecrets。"

"Cursedbethethingthathascausedourprojectiletodeviatefromitscourse，"criedNicholl。

And，asifalighthadsuddenlybrokeninuponhismind，Barbicaneanswered，"Thencursedbethemeteorwhichcrossedourpath。"

"What？"saidMichelArdan。

"Whatdoyoumean？"exclaimedNicholl。

"Imean，"saidBarbicaneinadecidedtone，"Imeanthatourdeviationisowingsolelytoourmeetingwiththiserringbody。"

"Butitdidnotevenbrushusasitpassed，"saidMichel。

"Whatdoesthatmatter？Itsmass，comparedtothatofourprojectile，wasenormous，anditsattractionwasenoughtoinfluenceourcourse。"

"Solittle？"criedNicholl。

"Yes，Nicholl；buthoweverlittleitmightbe，"repliedBarbicane，"inadistanceof84，000leagues，itwantednomoretomakeusmissthemoon。"

CHAPTERX

THEOBSERVERSOFTHEMOON

Barbicanehadevidentlyhitupontheonlyplausiblereasonofthisdeviation。Howeverslightitmighthavebeen，ithadsufficedtomodifythecourseoftheprojectile。Itwasafatality。Theboldattempthadmiscarriedbyafortuitouscircumstance；andunlessbysomeexceptionalevent，theycouldnowneverreachthemoon\'sdisc。

Wouldtheypassnearenoughtobeabletosolvecertainphysicalandgeologicalquestionsuntiltheninsoluble？Thiswasthequestion，andtheonlyone，whichoccupiedthemindsoftheseboldtravelers。Astothefateinstoreforthemselves，theydidnotevendreamofit。

Butwhatwouldbecomeofthemamidtheseinfinitesolitudes，thesewhowouldsoonwantair？Afewmoredays，andtheywouldfallstifledinthiswanderingprojectile。Butsomedaystotheseintrepidfellowswasacentury；andtheydevotedalltheirtimetoobservethatmoonwhichtheynolongerhopedtoreach。

Thedistancewhichhadthenseparatedtheprojectilefromthesatellitewasestimatedatabouttwohundredleagues。Undertheseconditions，asregardsthevisibilityofthedetailsofthedisc，thetravelerswerefartherfromthemoonthanaretheinhabitantsofearthwiththeirpowerfultelescopes。

Indeed，weknowthattheinstrumentmountedbyLordRosseatParsonstown，whichmagnifies6，500times，bringsthemoontowithinanapparentdistanceofsixteenleagues。Andmorethanthat，withthepowerfulonesetupatLong\'sPeak，theorbofnight，magnified48，000times，isbroughttowithinlessthantwoleagues，andobjectshavingadiameterofthirtyfeetareseenverydistinctly。Sothat，atthisdistance，thetopographicaldetailsofthemoon，observedwithoutglasses，couldnotbedeterminedwithprecision。Theeyecaughtthevastoutlineofthoseimmensedepressionsinappropriatelycalled"seas，"buttheycouldnotrecognizetheirnature。Theprominenceofthemountainsdisappearedunderthesplendidirradiationproducedbythereflectionofthesolarrays。Theeye，dazzledasifitwasleaningoverabathofmoltensilver，turnedfromitinvoluntarily；buttheoblongformoftheorbwasquiteclear。

Itappearedlikeagiganticegg，withthesmallendturnedtowardtheearth。Indeedthemoon，liquidandpliableinthefirstdaysofitsformation，wasoriginallyaperfectsphere；butbeingsoondrawnwithintheattractionoftheearth，itbecameelongatedundertheinfluenceofgravitation。Inbecomingasatellite，shelosthernativepurityofform；hercenterofgravitywasinadvanceofthecenterofherfigure；andfromthisfactsomesavantsdrawtheconclusionthattheairandwaterhadtakenrefugeontheoppositesurfaceofthemoon，whichisneverseenfromtheearth。Thisalterationintheprimitiveformofthesatellitewasonlyperceptibleforafewmoments。Thedistanceoftheprojectilefromthemoondiminishedveryrapidlyunderitsspeed，thoughthatwasmuchlessthanitsinitialvelocity——

buteightorninetimesgreaterthanthatwhichpropelsourexpresstrains。Theobliquecourseoftheprojectile，fromitsveryobliquity，gaveMichelArdansomehopesofstrikingthelunardiscatsomepointorother。Hecouldnotthinkthattheywouldneverreachit。No！hecouldnotbelieveit；andthisopinionheoftenrepeated。ButBarbicane，whowasabetterjudge，alwaysansweredhimwithmercilesslogic。

"No，Michel，no！Wecanonlyreachthemoonbyafall，andwearenotfalling。Thecentripetalforcekeepsusunderthemoon\'sinfluence，butthecentrifugalforcedrawsusirresistiblyawayfromit。"

ThiswassaidinatonewhichquenchedMichelArdan\'slasthope。

Theportionofthemoonwhichtheprojectilewasnearingwasthenorthernhemisphere，thatwhichtheselenographicmapsplacebelow；forthesemapsaregenerallydrawnaftertheoutlinegivenbytheglasses，andweknowthattheyreversetheobjects。

Suchwasthe_MappaSelenographica_ofBoeerandMoedlerwhichBarbicaneconsulted。Thisnorthernhemispherepresentedvastplains，dottedwithisolatedmountains。

Atmidnightthemoonwasfull。Atthatprecisemomentthetravelersshouldhavealighteduponit，ifthemischievousmeteorhadnotdivertedtheircourse。TheorbwasexactlyintheconditiondeterminedbytheCambridgeObservatory。Itwasmathematicallyatitsperigee，andatthezenithofthetwenty-eighthparallel。AnobserverplacedatthebottomoftheenormousColumbiad，pointedperpendicularlytothehorizon，wouldhaveframedthemooninthemouthofthegun。Astraightlinedrawnthroughtheaxisofthepiecewouldhavepassedthroughthecenteroftheorbofnight。Itisneedlesstosay，thatduringthenightofthe5th-6thofDecember，thetravelerstooknotaninstant\'srest。Couldtheyclosetheireyeswhensonearthisnewworld？No！Alltheirfeelingswereconcentratedinonesinglethought:——See！Representativesoftheearth，ofhumanity，pastandpresent，allcenteredinthem！Itisthroughtheireyesthatthehumanracelookattheselunarregions，andpenetratethesecretsoftheirsatellite！Astrangeemotionfilledtheirheartsastheywentfromonewindowtotheother。

Theirobservations，reproducedbyBarbicane，wererigidlydetermined。

Totakethem，theyhadglasses；tocorrectthem，maps。

Asregardstheopticalinstrumentsattheirdisposal，theyhadexcellentmarineglassesspeciallyconstructedforthisjourney。

Theypossessedmagnifyingpowersof100。Theywouldthushavebroughtthemoontowithinadistance(apparent)oflessthan2，000leaguesfromtheearth。Butthen，atadistancewhichforthreehoursinthemorningdidnotexceedsixty-fivemiles，andinamediumfreefromallatmosphericdisturbances，theseinstrumentscouldreducethelunarsurfacetowithinlessthan1，500yards！

CHAPTERXI

FANCYANDREALITY

"Haveyoueverseenthemoon？"askedaprofessor，ironically，ofoneofhispupils。

"No，sir！"repliedthepupil，stillmoreironically，"butImustsayIhavehearditspokenof。"

Inonesense，thepupil\'swittyanswermightbegivenbyalargemajorityofsublunarybeings。Howmanypeoplehaveheardspeakofthemoonwhohaveneverseenit——atleastthroughaglassoratelescope！Howmanyhaveneverexaminedthemapoftheirsatellite！

Inlookingataselenographicmap，onepeculiaritystrikesus。

ContrarytothearrangementfollowedforthatoftheEarthandMars，thecontinentsoccupymoreparticularlythesouthernhemisphereofthelunarglobe。Thesecontinentsdonotshowsuchdecided，clear，andregularboundarylinesasSouthAmerica，Africa，andtheIndianpeninsula。Theirangular，capricious，anddeeplyindentedcoastsarerichingulfsandpeninsulas。TheyremindoneoftheconfusionintheislandsoftheSound，wherethelandisexcessivelyindented。

Ifnavigationeverexistedonthesurfaceofthemoon，itmusthavebeenwonderfullydifficultanddangerous；andwemaywellpitytheSelenitesailorsandhydrographers；theformer，whentheycameupontheseperilouscoasts，thelatterwhentheytookthesoundingsofitsstormybanks。

Wemayalsonoticethat，onthelunarsphere，thesouthpoleismuchmorecontinentalthanthenorthpole。Onthelatter，thereisbutoneslightstripoflandseparatedfromothercontinentsbyvastseas。Towardthesouth，continentsclothealmostthewholeofthehemisphere。ItisevenpossiblethattheSeleniteshavealreadyplantedtheflagononeoftheirpoles，whileFranklin，Ross，Kane，Dumont，d\'Urville，andLamberthaveneveryetbeenabletoattainthatunknownpointoftheterrestrialglobe。

Astoislands，theyarenumerousonthesurfaceofthemoon。

Nearlyalloblongorcircular，andasiftracedwiththecompass，theyseemtoformonevastarchipelago，equaltothatcharminggrouplyingbetweenGreeceandAsiaMinor，andwhichmythologyinancienttimesadornedwithmostgracefullegends。

InvoluntarilythenamesofNaxos，Tenedos，andCarpathos，risebeforethemind，andweseekvainlyforUlysses\'vesselorthe"clipper"oftheArgonauts。SoatleastitwasinMichelArdan\'seyes。TohimitwasaGrecianarchipelagothathesawonthemap。Totheeyesofhismatter-of-factcompanions，theaspectofthesecoastsrecalledrathertheparceled-outlandofNewBrunswickandNovaScotia，andwheretheFrenchmandiscoveredtracesoftheheroesoffable，theseAmericansweremarkingthemostfavorablepointsfortheestablishmentofstoresintheinterestsoflunarcommerceandindustry。

Afterwanderingoverthesevastcontinents，theeyeisattractedbythestillgreaterseas。Notonlytheirformation，buttheirsituationandaspectremindoneoftheterrestrialoceans；butagain，asonearth，theseseasoccupythegreaterportionoftheglobe。Butinpointoffact，thesearenotliquidspaces，butplains，thenatureofwhichthetravelershopedsoontodetermine。Astronomers，wemustallow，havegracedthesepretendedseaswithatleastoddnames，whichsciencehasrespecteduptothepresenttime。MichelArdanwasrightwhenhecomparedthismaptoa"Tendrecard，"gotupbyaScudaryoraCyranodeBergerac。"Only，"saidhe，"itisnolongerthesentimentalcardoftheseventeenthcentury，itisthecardoflife，veryneatlydividedintotwoparts，onefeminine，theothermasculine；therighthemisphereforwoman，theleftforman。"

Inspeakingthus，Michelmadehisprosaiccompanionsshrugtheirshoulders。BarbicaneandNicholllookeduponthelunarmapfromaverydifferentpointofviewtothatoftheirfantasticfriend。Nevertheless，theirfantasticfriendwasalittleintheright。Judgeforyourselves。

Inthelefthemispherestretchesthe"SeaofClouds，"wherehumanreasonissooftenshipwrecked。Notfaroffliesthe"SeaofRains，"fedbyallthefeverofexistence。Nearthisisthe"SeaofStorms，"wheremaniseverfightingagainsthispassions，whichtoooftengainthevictory。Then，wornoutbydeceit，treasons，infidelity，andthewholebodyofterrestrialmisery，whatdoeshefindattheendofhiscareer？thatvast"SeaofHumors，"barelysoftenedbysomedropsofthewatersfromthe"GulfofDew！"Clouds，rain，storms，andhumors——doesthelifeofmancontainaughtbutthese？andisitnotsummedupinthesefourwords？

Therighthemisphere，"dedicatedtotheladies，"enclosessmallerseas，whosesignificantnamescontaineveryincidentofafeminineexistence。Thereisthe"SeaofSerenity，"overwhichtheyounggirlbends；"TheLakeofDreams，"reflectingajoyousfuture；"TheSeaofNectar，"withitswavesoftendernessandbreezesoflove；"TheSeaofFruitfulness；""TheSeaofCrises；"thenthe"SeaofVapors，"whosedimensionsareperhapsalittletooconfined；andlastly，thatvast"SeaofTranquillity，"inwhicheveryfalsepassion，everyuselessdream，everyunsatisfieddesireisatlengthabsorbed，andwhosewavesemergepeacefullyintothe"LakeofDeath！"

Whatastrangesuccessionofnames！Whatasingulardivisionofthemoon\'stwohemispheres，joinedtooneanotherlikemanandwoman，andformingthatsphereoflifecarriedintospace！

AndwasnotthefantasticMichelrightinthusinterpretingthefanciesoftheancientastronomers？Butwhilehisimaginationthusrovedover"theseas，"hisgravecompanionswereconsideringthingsmoregeographically。Theywerelearningthisnewworldbyheart。Theyweremeasuringanglesanddiameters。

CHAPTERXII

OROGRAPHICDETAILS

Thecoursetakenbytheprojectile，aswehavebeforeremarked，wasbearingittowardthemoon\'snorthernhemisphere。Thetravelerswerefarfromthecentralpointwhichtheywouldhavestruck，hadtheircoursenotbeensubjecttoanirremediabledeviation。

Itwaspastmidnight；andBarbicanethenestimatedthedistanceatsevenhundredandfiftymiles，whichwasalittlegreaterthanthelengthofthelunarradius，andwhichwoulddiminishasitadvancednearertotheNorthPole。Theprojectilewasthennotatthealtitudeoftheequator；butacrossthetenthparallel，andfromthatlatitude，carefullytakenonthemaptothepole，Barbicaneandhistwocompanionswereabletoobservethemoonunderthemostfavorableconditions。Indeed，bymeansofglasses，theabove-nameddistancewasreducedtolittlemorethanfourteenmiles。ThetelescopeoftheRockyMountainsbroughtthemoonmuchnearer；buttheterrestrialatmospheresingularlylesseneditspower。ThusBarbicane，postedinhisprojectile，withtheglassestohiseyes，couldseizeupondetailswhichwerealmostimperceptibletoearthlyobservers。

"Myfriends，"saidthepresident，inaseriousvoice，"Idonotknowwhitherwearegoing；Idonotknowifweshalleverseetheterrestrialglobeagain。Nevertheless，letusproceedasifourworkwouldonedaybyusefultoourfellow-men。Letuskeepourmindsfreefromeveryotherconsideration。Weareastronomers；andthisprojectileisaroomintheCambridgeUniversity，carriedintospace。Letusmakeourobservations！"

Thissaid，workwasbegunwithgreatexactness；andtheyfaithfullyreproducedthedifferentaspectsofthemoon，atthedifferentdistanceswhichtheprojectilereached。

Atthetimethattheprojectilewasashighasthetenthparallel，northlatitude，itseemedrigidlytofollowthetwentiethdegree，eastlongitude。Wemustheremakeoneimportantremarkwithregardtothemapbywhichtheyweretakingobservations。Intheselenographicalmapswhere，onaccountofthereversingoftheobjectsbytheglasses，thesouthisaboveandthenorthbelow，itwouldseemnaturalthat，onaccountofthatinversion，theeastshouldbetothelefthand，andthewesttotheright。Butitisnotso。Ifthemapwereturnedupsidedown，showingthemoonasweseeher，theeastwouldbetotheleft，andthewesttotheright，contrarytothatwhichexistsonterrestrialmaps。Thefollowingisthereasonofthisanomaly。Observersinthenorthernhemisphere(sayinEurope)seethemooninthesouth——accordingtothem。

Whentheytakeobservations，theyturntheirbackstothenorth，thereversepositiontothatwhichtheyoccupywhentheystudyaterrestrialmap。Astheyturntheirbackstothenorth，theeastisontheirleft，andthewesttotheirright。Toobserversinthesouthernhemisphere(Patagoniaforexample)，themoon\'swestwouldbequitetotheirleft，andtheeasttotheirright，asthesouthisbehindthem。Suchisthereasonoftheapparentreversingofthesetwocardinalpoints，andwemustbearitinmindinordertobeabletofollowPresidentBarbicane\'sobservations。

WiththehelpofBoeerandMoedler\'s_MappaSelenographica_，thetravelerswereableatoncetorecognizethatportionofthediscenclosedwithinthefieldoftheirglasses。

"Whatarewelookingat，atthismoment？"askedMichel。

"Atthenorthernpartofthe`SeaofClouds，\'"answeredBarbicane。

"Wearetoofarofftorecognizeitsnature。Aretheseplainscomposedofaridsand，asthefirstastronomermaintained？

Oraretheynothingbutimmenseforests，accordingtoM。WarrendelaRue\'sopinion，whogivesthemoonanatmosphere，thoughaverylowandaverydenseone？Thatweshallknowbyandby。

Wemustaffirmnothinguntilweareinapositiontodoso。"

This"SeaofClouds"isratherdoubtfullymarkedoutuponthemaps。

Itissupposedthatthesevastplainsarestrewnwithblocksoflavafromtheneighboringvolcanoesonitsright，Ptolemy，Purbach，Arzachel。Buttheprojectilewasadvancing，andsensiblynearingit。Soonthereappearedtheheightswhichboundthisseaatthisnorthernlimit。Beforethemroseamountainradiantwithbeauty，thetopofwhichseemedlostinaneruptionofsolarrays。

"Thatis——？"askedMichel。

"Copernicus，"repliedBarbicane。

"LetusseeCopernicus。"

Thismount，situatedin9@northlatitudeand20@eastlongitude，rosetoaheightof10，600feetabovethesurfaceofthemoon。Itisquitevisiblefromtheearth；andastronomerscanstudyitwithease，particularlyduringthephasebetweenthelastquarterandthenewmoon，becausethentheshadowsarethrownlengthwaysfromeasttowest，allowingthemtomeasuretheheights。

ThisCopernicusformsthemostimportantoftheradiatingsystem，situatedinthesouthernhemisphere，accordingtoTychoBrahe。Itrisesisolatedlikeagiganticlighthouseonthatportionofthe"SeaofClouds，"whichisboundedbythe"SeaofTempests，"thuslightingbyitssplendidraystwooceansatatime。Itwasasightwithoutanequal，thoselongluminoustrains，sodazzlinginthefullmoon，andwhich，passingtheboundarychainonthenorth，extendstothe"SeaofRains。"

Atoneo\'clockoftheterrestrialmorning，theprojectile，likeaballoonborneintospace，overlookedthetopofthissuperbmount。Barbicanecouldrecognizeperfectlyitschieffeatures。Copernicusiscomprisedintheseriesofringedmountainsofthefirstorder，inthedivisionofgreatcircles。LikeKeplerandAristarchus，whichoverlookthe"OceanofTempests，"sometimesitappearedlikeabrilliantpointthroughthecloudylight，andwastakenforavolcanoinactivity。Butitisonlyanextinctone——likeallonthatsideofthemoon。Itscircumferenceshowedadiameterofabouttwenty-twoleagues。Theglassesdiscoveredtracesofstratificationproducedbysuccessiveeruptions，andtheneighborhoodwasstrewnwithvolcanicremainswhichstillchokedsomeofthecraters。

"Thereexist，"saidBarbicane，"severalkindsofcirclesonthesurfaceofthemoon，anditiseasytoseethatCopernicusbelongstotheradiatingclass。Ifwewerenearer，weshouldseetheconesbristlingontheinside，whichinformertimesweresomanyfierymouths。Acuriousarrangement，andonewithoutanexceptiononthelunardisc，isthattheinteriorsurfaceofthesecirclesisthereverseoftheexterior，andcontrarytotheformtakenbyterrestrialcraters。Itfollows，then，thatthegeneralcurveofthebottomofthesecirclesgivesasphereofasmallerdiameterthanthatofthemoon。"

"Andwhythispeculiardisposition？"askedNicholl。

"Wedonotknow，"repliedBarbicane。

"Whatsplendidradiation！"saidMichel。"Onecouldhardlyseeafinerspectacle，Ithink。"

"Whatwouldyousay，then，"repliedBarbicane，"ifchanceshouldbearustowardthesouthernhemisphere？"

"Well，Ishouldsaythatitwasstillmorebeautiful，"retortedMichelArdan。

Atthismomenttheprojectilehungperpendicularlyoverthecircle。

ThecircumferenceofCopernicusformedalmostaperfectcircle，anditssteepescarpmentswereclearlydefined。Theycouldevendistinguishasecondringedenclosure。Aroundspreadagrayishplain，ofawildaspect，onwhicheveryreliefwasmarkedinyellow。

Atthebottomofthecircle，asifenclosedinajewelcase，sparkledforoneinstanttwoorthreeeruptivecones，likeenormousdazzlinggems。Towardthenorththeescarpmentswereloweredbyadepressionwhichwouldprobablyhavegivenaccesstotheinteriorofthecrater。

Inpassingoverthesurroundingplains，Barbicanenoticedagreatnumberoflessimportantmountains；andamongothersalittleringedonecalledGuyLussac，thebreadthofwhichmeasuredtwelvemiles。