it seems rash to affirm that the earth alone is inhabited by intelligent beings, and thus to limit the Omnipotent, who has made nothing in vain. Several of the planets have extensive and dense atmospheres: according to Schroëter the atmosphere of Ceres is more than 668 miles high, and that of Pallas has an elevation of 465 miles, but not a trace of an atmosphere can be perceived round Vesta. The attraction of the earth has probably deprived the moon of hers, for the refractive power of the air at the surface of the earth is at least a thousand times as great as at the surface of the moon: the lunar atmosphere must therefore be of a greater degree of rarity than can be produced by our best air-pumps. This is confirmed by Arago’s observations during a solar eclipse, when no trace of a lunar atmosphere could be seen. Since then, however, some indications of air have been perceived in the lunar valleys. In taking photographic images of the moon and Jupiter at Rome, Professor Secchi found that the light of the full moon is to that of the quarter moon as 3 to 1. Jupiter gives a photographic image as bright and vigorous as the brightest part of the moon; but although the light of Jupiter is less than that of the moon, he is nearly five times farther from the sun; and as light diminishes as the square of the distance increases, the light of Jupiter is proportionally greater than that of the moon, consequently Jupiter’s atmosphere reflects more light than the dark volcanic soil of the moon; thus Professor Secchi observes photography may in time reveal the quality of the materials of which the celestial bodies are formed. The effect of the earth’s atmosphere on lunar heat is remarkable. Professor Forbes proved that the direct light of the full moon is incapable of raising a thermometer the one three thousandth part of a Centigrade degree, at least in England; but at an elevation of 8870 feet on the Peak of Teneriffe, Mr. Piazzi Smyth found a very sensible heat from the moon, although she was then 19° south of the equator; so it is no doubt absorbed by our atmosphere at lower levels.