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276 appear as if any troubles were to be apprehended from an excessive population, even if there were no means of leaving it!"

"Pardon my interruption," I said. "But I cannot understand why a portion only should leave and the others remain, as appears to be the case. If the strange visitor presents inducements and happiness not to be found on Mars, the wonder is the whole do not leave the latter. If, on the other hand, the conditions of life are less favourable, it is equally strange that any should depart."

"That is indeed a very pertinent question," he observed, "and one that has been attracting the attention of our astronomers for a considerable period; but I cannot answer it, as we have been unable, as yet, from the meagre data we have of the last emigration, to solve the problem ourselves. However," he continued, "we have now new and more powerful instruments for observing the approaching event than our ancestors had for noting similar ones in the past, and it is intended to make lengthened and careful observations from many different stations simultaneously, when it is hoped that the question to which you have referred, and many others equally important, concerning both planets, will be cleared up. It is, however, worthy