SCHICKARD.—One of the largest wall-surrounded plains on the visible surface of the moon, extending about 134 miles from N. to S., and about the same from E. to W., enclosing a nearly level area, abounding in detail. Its border, to a great extent linear, is very irregular, and much broken by the interposition of small ring-plains and craters, and on the N. by cross-valleys. Its general height is about 4000 feet, the loftiest peak on the W. wall rising to more than 9000 feet above the floor. The inner slopes of this vast rampart are very complex, especially on the E., where many terraces and depressions may be seen under suitable illumination. There are three large ring-plains in the interior, all of them S. of the centre; and at least five smaller ones near the inner foot of the E. wall, which can only be well observed when libration is favourable. The two more easterly of the large ring-plains are connected by a cleft, and there are several short clefts and crater-rows associated with the smaller ring-plains. On the N. side of the area is a number of minute craters. The floor is diversified by two large dark markings—an oblong patch on the S.W. side, abutting on the wall, being the more remarkable; and a dusky area, occupying a great portion of the N. part of the floor, and extending up to the N. border. This is traversed by a light streak running from N. to S., which is the site of a row of minute craters.
LEHMANN.—A ring-plain, about 28 miles in length, on the N. of Schickard, with which it is connected by a number of cross-valleys.
DREBBEL.—A bright ring-plain, 18 miles in diameter, on the N.W. of Schickard, with a lofty irregular border (especially on the W.), exhibiting a well-marked terrace on the E., a distinct gap on the N., and a small crater on the S.E. rim. On a dusky area between it and Schickard stand three prominent deep craters.
PHOCYLIDES.—This extraordinary walled plain, with its neighbouring enclosures, is structurally very remarkable and suggestive. It consists of a large irregular formation, with a lofty wall, flanked on the N. by a smaller and still more irregular enclosure (b), the floor of which is 1500 feet above that of Phocylides, the line of partition being a high cliff, probably representing a "fault," whose shadow under a low sun is very striking. Phocylides is about 80 miles in maximum length, or, if we reckon the small enclosure b to form a part of it, more than 120 miles. The loftiest peak, nearly 9000 feet, is on the W. border, near the partition wall. The continuity of the rampart is broken on the S. by a large crater. There is a bright ring-plain on the W. side of the floor, and a few small craters. Phocylides b has only a solitary crater within it. Phocylides C, abutting on the W. flank of Phocylides, is about 26 miles in diameter. Its somewhat dusky interior is devoid of detail, but the outer slope of its W. wall is crowded with a number of minute craters, which, under good conditions, may be utilised as tests of the defining power of the telescope used. Phocylides A, on the bright S.W. plain, is a large deep crater with a fine crater-row flanking it on the W.
WARGENTIN.—A most remarkable member of the Phocylides group, flanking the S.E. side of Schickard. Unlike the majority of lunar formations, its floor is raised considerably above the surrounding region, so that it resembles a shallow oval dish turned upside down. It is 54 miles in diameter, and, except on the S.W. (where it abuts on Phocylides b, and for some distance is bounded by its wall), it has only a border of very moderate dimensions. On the N.E. slope of this ghostly rampart I have seen a distinct little crater, and two much larger depressions on the N.W. slope. There are some low ridges on the floor, radiating from a nearly central point, which have been aptly compared to a bird's foot.
SEGNER.—A fine ring-plain, 46 miles in diameter, on the S.E. side of Schiller, with a linear border on every side except the N. At a peak on the W., whose shadow is very remarkable, it rises to a height of more than 8000 feet above the outer surface. There is a crater on the S.W. wall, another on the N.W. wall, and several depressions on the outer slope on this side. The central mountain is small but conspicuous. A large unnamed enclosure extends N. of Segner: it is larger than Schiller, and is surrounded by a lofty barrier. The bright plain between this and the latter is worth examination under a low sun.
ZUCHIUS.—Is situated on the S.E. of Segner, which it slightly overlaps. It is very similar in size and general character, and has a lofty terraced wall, rising at one place on the W. to nearly 11,000 feet above the floor. A very fine chain of craters, well seen when the opposite border is on the morning terminator, runs round the outer W. slope of the wall. There is a bright crater beyond this on the S.W. Zuchius has a central peak.
BETTINUS.—Another ring-plain of the same type and size, some distance S. of the last, with a massive border, terraced within, and rising on the W. more than 13,000 feet above the floor, on which stands a grand central mountain, whose brilliant summit is in sunlight a long time before a ray reaches any part of the deep interior.
KIRCHER.—A ring-plain, about 45 miles in diameter, S. of Bettinus, remarkable also for its very lofty rampart, which on the S. attains the tremendous height of nearly 18,000 feet above the floor, which appears to be devoid of detail.
WILSON.—The most southerly of the chain of five massive ring-plains, extending in an almost unbroken line from Segner and differing only very slightly in size. It is about 40 miles in diameter, and has a somewhat irregular border, both as regards shape and height, rising at one peak on the S.W. to nearly 14,000 feet above a level interior, which apparently contains no conspicuous features.