This explains why
it is that it was not seen before 1882. In the ten years that have
transpired since that time, it has been seen and described at eight or
ten observatories. Nevertheless, some still deny that these phenomena
are real, and tax with illusion (or even imposture) those who declare
that they have observed it.
Their singular aspect, and their being drawn with absolute geometrical
precision, as if they were the work of rule or compass, has led some to
see in them the work of intelligent beings, inhabitants of the planet. I
am very careful not to combat this supposition, which includes nothing
impossible. (Io mi guarder? bene dal combattere questa supposizione, la
quale nulla include d'impossibile.) But it will be noticed that in any
case the gemination cannot be a work of permanent character, it being
certain that in a given instance it may change its appearance and
dimensions from one season to another. If we should assume such a work,
a certain variability would not be excluded from it; for example,
extensive agricultural labor and irrigation upon a large scale. Let us
add, further, that the intervention of intelligent beings might explain
the geometrical appearance of the gemination, but it is not at all
necessary for such a purpose. The geometry of nature is manifested in
many other facts from which are excluded the idea of any artificial
labor whatever. The perfect spheroids of the heavenly bodies and the
ring of Saturn were not constructed in a turning lathe, and not with
compasses has Iris described within the clouds her beautiful and regular
arch.
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