But things were quite different in the era alluded to.

At that time, the atmosphere enveloped the Moon in a gaseous mantle, and the vapors took the shape of clouds.

By the screen thus formed by the hand of nature, the heat of the solar rays was tempered and the nocturnal radiation retarded.

Light too, as well as heat, could be modified, tempered, and _genialized_ if I may use the expression, by the air.

This produced a healthy counterpoise of forces, which, now that the atmosphere has completely disappeared, of course exists no longer.
Besides--friend Ardan, you will excuse me for telling you something new, something that will surprise you--" -- "Surprise me, my dear boy, fire away surprising me!" cried Ardan.