We near our destination, and now, gently descending, we stand upon solid ground. Madame, we salute you, and welcome you to a land visited for the first time by a spirit yet embodied in the physical form. The energetic and adventurous American is a born pioneer, so it seems quite in keeping with your national tendency that you are here.
Medium—It may be quite in keeping with my nationality to be adventurous, but I confess that at this moment I do not feel very courageous.
De L'Ester—Fear not. Many times you shall come hither, returning to Earth safely. You wish to know on what portion of Mars we now are? I can only reply in this manner: Relatively we are in about the same latitude and longitude as is St. Louis. For purposes of comparison, and for the instruction not only of yourself, but of some who possibly may read these pages, we have decided that it will be well to afford you a glimpse of Mars' interior, so you will stand beside me while I shall endeavor to direct your spirit perception, and that you may more readily comprehend what I shall say I shall make use of such terms as our Earth scientists have established. In succession, the Azoic, the Silurian, the Devonian, the Carboniferous, the Reptilian, the Mammalian, and the crowning Age of Man have carried Mars and Earth to their present states of evolution. As we perceive, the merging of one age into another was through such imperceptible degrees that it is not possible to note lines of demarcation, yet we easily can trace the wondrous vestiges of the passing ages up to the appearance of the evolved human animal man, of whom, at another time, I shall further inform you.
Yes, gold, silver, copper, iron, tin, in short, all the minerals with which Earth abounds, are equally abundant as constituents of Mars, and like our planet, Mars contains vast stores of mineral salts, which in solution form nature's remedial springs.
Naturally, as cooling of the Planet has proceeded, the primitive stratum has deepened, and as we perceive within its compass is a vast volume of highly heated matter, which, to a degree, corresponds with the interior of the World upon which you so serenely dwell.
Very true, to one unaccustomed to such a view, it appears amazing and awe-inspiring.
Following the Devonian age the dank atmosphere was laden with noxious gases, and the fauna and flora of this Planet attained to gigantic proportions. This was the Carboniferous age, during which largely the coal fields were formed, and I may say that during a corresponding age of Earth like causes produced like effects. All over this planet, in various localities, deposits of coal abound, and through unnumbered centuries, it served for the Marsians the purposes of fuel and illumination.
Now, madame, turn away your gaze from yonder fiery abysses and allow it to rest upon pleasanter views.
From the slight elevation on which we stand we gaze upon a very attractive scene. Stretching away into the distance are level plains, sustaining luxuriant verdure and a wealth of grains and other vegetation. The plains are dotted with towns and villages and animals of several kinds are grazing in the nearby inclosed fields.