played in our life, and what a fine convenience the nose is during
eating and speaking. Of course all this was unintelligible to them.

I then busied myself in ascertaining the secret of their signal system.
I learned, much to my surprise, that with scarcely any knowledge of
electricity the Moonites had long ago discovered a means of
communication which is somewhat similar to our wireless telegraphy. From
central stations messages are transmitted to sensitive metal rods set up
on each house-top, somewhat like the lightning rods that decorate
house-tops on my own Earth. I also learned that a very thin atmosphere
is prevalent on the Moon, and that this rare medium is more suited to
their wireless telegraphy than our heavier atmosphere would be with its
different composition.

I soon learned that great excitement was prevailing throughout the
adjacent villages. Wireless telegraphy carried the news, and from all
directions throngs were pressing toward the city. Furthermore I saw that
the noted personage with whom I had spent a quiet season was now making
his way toward me. Not wishing to hold further conversation with him,
and desiring to escape the ever-rising tide of curious questioners, I
once more became invisible and proceeded to study the physical phenomena
of the Moon.

I now saw that everything bore evidence to the fearful havoc of volcanic
eruptions that had laid waste so large a portion of the Moon's surface.
The people live in the remaining fertile belts and patches of land which
are fortunately scattered in rich profusion over the greater portion of
the surface, reminding one of productive oases in the deserts of our
world.