"Very well said!" exclaimed Barbicane. "Do you know, Michel, that, for an amateur, you are intelligent."
"Yes," replied Michel coolly, "we are all so on the Boulevard des Italiens."
Barbicane gravely grasped the hand of his amiable companion, and continued to enumerate the advantages reserved for the inhabitants of the visible face.
Among others, he mentioned eclipses of the sun,which only take place on this side of the lunar disc;since, in order that they may take place, it is necessary for the moon to be in opposition. These eclipses,caused by the interposition of the earth between the moon and the sun, can last two hours; during which time, by reason of the rays refracted by its atmosphere,the terrestrial globe can appear as nothing but a black point upon the sun.