probably, too, an ashen light within it, such as we see on the dark side
of the moon. By-and-by, as we get nearer, we shall study the markings of
the terminator, and a shallow notch that is just visible on the inner
edge of the southern horn. Can you see it?"

"Yes, I think I can. What is it?" replied Miss Carmichael.

"Probably a vast crater, or else a range of high mountains intercepting
the sunlight, and making a scallop in the border of the terminator.
However, that is a secret for us to find out. We know very little of the
planet Venus--not even the length of her day. Some think it is eight
months long, others twenty-four hours. We shall see. I have begun to
keep a record of our discoveries, and some day--when I return to town--I
hope to read a paper on the subject before the most potent, grave, and
learned Fellows of the Royal Astronomical Society--I rather think I
shall surprise them--I do not say startle--it is impossible to startle
the Fellows of the Royal Astronomical Society--or even to astonish
them--you might as well hope to tickle the Sphinx--but I fancy it will
stir them up a little, especially my friend Professor Sylvanus Pettifer
Possil. However, I must take care not to give them the slightest hint of
what they are to expect beforehand, otherwise they will declare they
knew all about it already."

"Has it struck you that up here the stars appear of different colours at
various distances," said Miss Carmichael.

"Oh, yes," answered Gazen, "and in the pure atmosphere of the desert, or
on the summit of high mountains, we notice a similar effect. The stars
have been compared to the trees of a forest, in different stages of
growth and decay. Some of them are growing in splendour, and others