The reflective power of its plateau probably proceeds from the exceedingly great number of small craters that you can detect there." "I think I see something like them now," said Ardan.

"But I am sorry the Projectile's course will not give us a vertical view." "Can't be helped!" said Barbican; "we must go where it takes us.

The day may come when man can steer the projectile or the balloon in which he is shut up, in any way he pleases, but that day has not come yet!" Towards five in the morning, the northern limit of _Mare Imbrium_ was finally passed, and _Mare Frigoris_ spread its frost-colored plains far to the right and left.

On the east the travellers could easily see the ring-mountain _Condamine_, about 4000 feet high, while a little ahead on the right they could plainly distinguish _Fontenelle_ with an altitude nearly twice as great.

_Mare Frigoris_ was soon passed, and the whole lunar surface beneath the travellers, as far as they could see in all directions, now bristled with mountains, crags, and peaks.