Systems'. The shining belt on the central portion is the 'Mississippi
River'. The rough ridge to the right is 'the Allegheny System' of
mountains." Then I indicated the location of our larger cities. As I
pointed to New York, I saw a mere speck moving. I was convinced that it
was one of our large steamships, and as I so explained the astronomer
looked at me with absorbing interest.
He informed me that he had often seen the moving of the spots, and
thought they were some cloud formations peculiar to our world. But I
insisted on the steamship explanation and proceeded to describe an ocean
liner, for these Jupiterites are not familiar with oceans of cold water
on which float numerous craft.
I was then a royal guest, and passed a most felicitous night with these
four celebrities. We talked of the more powerful telescope that the
government of Jupiter was manufacturing, and of the still greater views
it promised to reveal.
Then I informed them of our system of science. They were astonished at
the great civilization extant on Zo-ide, or our Earth.
I told them that a subtile power lay dormant in the atoms and molecules
of matter, which could be released and utilized, and that we in our
world called it "electricity."
During the night I learned that the convolutions on the chin and
forehead of a Jupiterite served the purpose of a new sense. By the aid
of these convolutions any person of Jupiter can tell in daylight or
darkness the nature of any surrounding substance, whether it be hard or
soft, combustible or non-combustible, good for food or not. I confess
that I was unable to grasp the idea intelligently. So the people on the
Moon had the same difficulty in understanding the use of my nose.
Before morning dawned I informed my appreciative quartette that I would
see them no more, that I had paused at Jupiter station long enough, and
that I must be off on my vast excursion trip.
They earnestly entreated me to remain so that the college students and
representative persons could get a glimpse of me; but I refused all
|