“I thought it would have been a great blessing if we mortals here possessed such optics. Think of the advantage while going about in a crowded thoroughfare of a great city, to see where you are stepping, to read the various newspaper bulletins, to watch the clock on the spire, to recognize your friends in the surging throng and besides all these to be able to dodge adroitly the numerous trolley cars and automobiles at the same time!
“In place of the eyes, there were two large circles, covered by a delicate membrane of great sensitiveness, which instead of sight was used for speech, because they did not speak with their mouths and in audible sounds, but with these two curious circles they carried on a conversation in “silent eloquence,” instantaneously transmitting their thoughts to each other, a veritable telepathic medium, as it were!
“Their noses and mouths were likewise equally strange and entirely different from ours in construction, although to all appearances they had the same form and occupied similar places. For instance, they could extend their nostrils at pleasure, shut air-tight or open at will, so that at the mere suspicion of a bad odor they could instantly elongate their proboscis to some point at which pure air and perfume abounded.
“The mouth was so constructed that they could expand and contract it like a chameleon’s, but about three or four yards, and in such inconceivable velocity that its rapidity of action was beyond calculation. Its usefulness was manifold, because they not only took nutrition by it, but it was also a very formidable weapon of attack and defense.
“They wore absolutely no clothing, consequently were annoyed by no tailor-made suits, no bloomers, no furbelows, but nature itself had provided with all that was desirable. Their skins were covered from the neck to the shoulder with white swansdown, and from the shoulders to the waist with a fine silky fur, resembling in color and texture the best quality of seal-skins, while from the waist sprouted all around the loveliest crop of hanging ostrich feathers. There was no difference in male and female attire. As women nowadays are speaking of equal rights, and are adopting masculine tendencies, I believe we are on the right line of advancement to reach the same destination.
“Their manner of locomotion was another surprise to me as I watched them darting deftly here and there. Upon examination of their lower extremities, I found it to be simply locomotion by electricity. Under their feet were several wheels of natural formation and whichever direction they wanted to go, they set the locomotive current to any degree of celerity. Think of it! Each person having his own automatic rapid transit!
“As I became intensely interested in those strange beings, I felt curious to know and study their social manners and discover whether they experienced any emotions, sorrows or mirth. Consequently I changed my observations to these particulars. In searching through the gardens and flowery bowers that abounded in a certain locality, it was not necessary for me to wait very long. My eyes rested upon a comical spectacle, which left no doubt in my mind that it was a case of amorous depredation. It was simply, as I judged, an act of stealing kisses. Oh, the rascal! Here was a maiden sweet and fair, overcome perhaps by fatigue, lying on the velvety grass of cobalt blue, her head resting on a natural eiderdown-topped toadstool, and there, a precocious youth, perched on a branch of a tree above, his elastic mouth in close contact to that of the maiden, busily gathering, like the hummingbird, the nectars of osculatory bliss, while his globular eye kept watch round about for any unceremonious or hostile intruder!
“In vain I tried to imitate. Ah! I still feel the thrill. In fact, I would not object to have a mouth so formed, even in this vain world of ours. I believe there are flowers here also, ever in bloom, like the fairy maiden above.
“In reference to the pleasures and enjoyments of these marvelous beings, I was somewhat nonplussed to find that there were no theatres or places of amusement. The fact was that in every respect they were very, very practical.
“When they wanted to laugh, they simply went to certain valleys in their locality where, on inhaling its atmosphere, they became almost hysterical in their ecstasy of joy, giggling, ha-haing and continuing in such hilarious laughter without stop until they were thoroughly satisfied.