The
reasons for their incredulity are thus stated:--
The various parts of the Moon do not all reflect with the same
intensity. Here, that intensity may be dependent on the form;
elsewhere, on the nature of the materials. Those persons who have
examined the lunar orb with telescopes, know how very considerable the
difference arising from these two causes may be,--with how much keener
and stronger a radiance one point of the Moon will sometimes shine than
those around it. Well, it would seem to be obvious that the ratio of
intensity between the brilliant parts and the faint parts must always be
the same, whatever the origin of the illuminating light. In that portion
of the lunar sphere which receives the glow and glory of the sun, we
know that some points exist, the brightness of which is extraordinary
compared with the feeble flickering gleam of those around them. And
these same points, when seen in the dim reflection of the Earth, will
still predominate in intensity over the neighbouring regions.
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