ike to examine one?" he asked; "we can do so
very soon, if you wish?"

I said I should be glad to do so, and our course was accordingly
directed to one of the groves, which appeared to be about two miles
distant. It, however, proved to be more than six miles away, for we had
not yet become accustomed to the effect of the clear Martian air in
making distant objects appear much closer than they really were.
However, it did not take long for our air-ship to reach it; and we
descended in the space between the canals and then walked over into the
grove. When we turned into it, we were greatly surprised at the charming
effect of the trees over the canal.

The trees were something like our willows, but taller than elms, and had
a multitude of very long, thin, and supple branches, with very little
bare trunk. They were planted rather close together, all along each side
of the canal, with their trunks sloping slightly towards the water. The
long branches thus met at the sides and high overhead, intertwining
together, and forming a high leafy archway extending all along the canal
in both directions as far as the eye could see. The thick, soft Martian
grass along each side of the canal was like a velvet-pile carpet to walk
upon; the sunlight filtering between the green leaves of the trees cast
bright flecks of light on the clear shimmering water which ran beneath
them; whilst water-fowl swimming here and there gave a bright touch of
colour and the animation of life which so adds to the general charm of
such scenery. Some of the water-fowl were very large birds, with
brilliant coloured plumage.

"What a delightful place for a quiet walk on a hot day like this," I
exclaimed; "plenty of air and no excess of heat!"

"Yes," Merna replied; "these embowered canals are very popular with the
Martians, as they furnish such cool and pleasant walks in the summer
time. I must also tell you," he added, "that those water-fowl are looked
after with extreme care, because most of our aquatic birds have become
nearly extinct since our natural areas of water failed us, and unless
they were preserved would die out entirely.

"You will understand that these canals are not liable to excessive
evaporation; but, at the same time, it would not do to prevent
evaporation altogether, because we should then fail to obtain a
sufficient and fresh supply next spring."

"I quite see that, Merna," I said; "but one of our scientific men has
said that it would