already knew from his astronomical specialists. He was very anxious to

have more detailed information of what he called this extraordinary state

of affairs, for from the solidity of the earth there had always been a

disposition regard it as uninhabitable. He endeavoured first to ascertain

the extremes of temperature to which we earth beings were exposed, and he

was deeply interested by my descriptive treatment of clouds and rain. His

imagination was assisted by the fact that the lunar atmosphere in the

outer galleries of the night side is not infrequently very foggy. He

seemed inclined to marvel that we did not find the sunlight too intense

for our eyes, and was interested in my attempt to explain that the sky was

tempered to a bluish colour through the refraction of the air, though I

doubt if he clearly understood that. I explained how the iris of the human

eyes can contract the pupil and save the delicate internal structure from

the excess of sunlight, and was allowed to approach within a few feet of

the Presence in order that this structure might be seen. This led to a

comparison of the lunar and terrestrial eyes. The former is not only

excessively sensitive to such light as men can see, but it can also see

heat, and every difference in temperature within the moon renders objects

visible to it.

"The iris was quite a new organ to the Grand Lunar. For a time he amused

himself by flashing his rays into my face and watching my pupils contract.

As a consequence, I was dazzled and blinded for some little time....

But in spite of that discomfort I found something reassuring by

insensible degrees in the rationality of this business of question and

The First Men In The Moon