SOURCE: The Moon Maid (Argosy All-Story Weekly, May 5 1923) by Edgar Rice Burroughs

DESCRIPTION: "This nearer view enabled us to discover the truth or falsity of the theory that has been long held by some scientists that there is a form of vegetation upon the surface of the Moon. Our eyes were first attracted by what appeared to be movement upon the surface of some of the valleys and in the deeper ravines of the mountains. Norton exclaimed that there were creatures there, moving about, but closer observation revealed the fact of the existence of a weird fungus-like vegetation which grew so rapidly that we could clearly discern the phenomena. From the several days' observation which we had at close range we came to the conclusion that the entire life span of this vegetation is encompassed in a single sidereal month. From the spore it developed in the short period of a trifle over twenty-seven days into a mighty plant that is sometimes hundreds of feet in height. The branches are angular and grotesque, the leaves broad and thick, and in the plants which we discerned the seven primary colors were distinctly represented. As each portion of the Moon passed slowly into shadow the vegetation first drooped, then wilted, then crumbled to the ground, apparently disintegrating almost immediately into a fine, dust-like powder -- at least in so far as our glasses revealed, it quite disappeared entirely. The movement which we discerned was purely that of rapid growth, as there is no wind upon the surface of the Moon. Both Jay and Orthis were positive that they discerned some form of animal life, either insect or reptilian. These I did not myself see, though I did perceive many of the broad, flat leaves which seemed to have been partially eaten, which certainly strengthened the theory that there is other than vegetable life upon our satellite." (The Moon Maid by Edgar Rice Burroughs)

NOTES: The fungus-like vegetation is discernable from space once a ship is close to the moon. Most of the vegetation on the Moon is inside the moon in a vast interior world. Only this grey fungus-like plant can survive in the near-zero atmosphere of the outside of the moon.

HISTORY: Even in 1923 the idea of traveling to the Moon was fantasy for most people. Burroughs is safe to place whatever creatures he wants there because he doesn't think anyone will ever go there. 46 years later we knew better.