“But my surprise was still increased when, turning my eyes toward land, I beheld numerous geysers and fountains, spouting up streams and sprays of waters of various hues. I tasted them one by one and, to my delight, I found some of them to be composed of seltzero-caffein, some of bromo-cocain, some others containing an infusion of Cerebrine. But one of the most peculiar fountains which I discovered was one that had a zig-zag motion and luminous color.
“On partaking of a sip of it, I suddenly experienced a strange sensation going through my body, exhilarating and rejuvenating my whole system, eradicating all the dandruff from my scalp, purifying my blood and dispelling at once that “tired feeling.” I gave to this fountain the name “Electrolinaris” on account of the large percentage of “the electric fluid” it contained!
“The vegetation that grew on this marvelous planet, although analogous to our terrestrial trees and herbs—having roots, trunks and branches—was entirely of different order. These forms were a combination of vegetable and animal kingdoms, because of their construction and sensitiveness. I noticed, for example, trees whose leaves changed color several times a day, some others which emitted extraordinary sounds, while still others shrank and expanded instantaneously.
“But their fruits were still more curious. Of course to satisfy my natural curiosity, I picked and tasted many of them. They were nothing but our manufactured confections. Still how delicious they were! Here was a tree the folds of whose musical leaves shielded delicious chocolates, there another tree whose branches dropped ripe and luscious glace bon-bons of various flavors, while sugar-coated violets and jasmines abounded promiscuously on perfuming bushes.
“During my inspection I came across a palm-like plant full of innumerable shining objects which, on closer scrutiny, to my amazement I found to be miniature incandescent radium lights of great brilliancy.
“As I proceeded with my investigations I saw another plant whose branches were studded with brilliant scintillating globules. I hastened to examine them and they were neither more nor less than veritable crystals of diamonds. Now it is well known that the diamond consists of pure carbon in crystalized form. This plant had simply the power of absorbing pure carbon by its roots, and passing through its wonderfully peculiar fibres exuded and condensed them on its branches like gum-drops, where they were hardened by the action of its equally strange atmosphere. I have on my person—as you will observe—a few specimens which I picked at random.
“And now in reference to animals. Perhaps you will expect me to describe to you strange megalotheruses of immense proportions, or gigantic mammalian quadrupeds, mammoth flying dragons, serpents and birds, but herein I must disappoint you. The truth is, although I searched diligently for such paleozoic monsters, I came in contact with none. Surprised as I was myself, it explained itself on my discovering an amphitheatre-like enclosure wherein were stored, in great numbers, the lifeless skeletons of unimaginable beasts which had existed on this planet in centuries past. And as on our earth the large animals are gradually becoming extinct on account of the advance of civilization, with the exception of the Tammany Tiger, the American Eagle and the British Lion, I came to the conclusion that on this new sphere likewise, because of its far advanced stage of civilization, they were already extinct.
“I could not, however, suppress my laughter on seeing in this collection of monstrous wild beasts, two specimens of two-legged mammalians or human beings. I speedily came to the conclusion that they were either some of those blatant fools, who had ventured on journeys to remote planets in their flying machines, or some of our ultra-civilized English and American pioneers, gone on missions of “grab” and “benevolent assimilation!”
“Anon, I come to the most interesting stage of my adventure, that of seeing the most intelligent animals of this new planet, which it seemed had full control over it, so that there remained no doubt in my mind of their being the human race of this strange world. Consequently, I watched them closely, and verily I found them to be far more advanced in civilization and bodily construction than we, mankind. They were so constructed that they had all the advantages which we are obliged to supply ourselves by artificial means and devices. As I describe them, you will, to a certain degree, form an idea of how they looked.
“They had only one eye on the top of their heads, a large globular organ, however, having like the dragon fly a multiform lens. This eye was shielded by an umbrella-shaped substance of a hard bony nature. Thus protected they could see all round about them at the same time, or whichever side they wanted, without inconveniencing themselves by craning their necks.