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。Theywouldthushavebroughtthemoontowithinadistanceapparentoflessthan2，000leaguesfromtheearth。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。ObserversinthenorthernhemispheresayinEuropeseethemooninthesouth——accordingtothem。
Whentheytakeobservations，theyturntheirbackstothenorth，thereversepositiontothatwhichtheyoccupywhentheystudyaterrestrialmap。Astheyturntheirbackstothenorth，theeastisontheirleft，andthewesttotheirright。ToobserversinthesouthernhemispherePatagoniaforexample，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。