Polaris is the center of a magnificent system. If a certain few of its
worlds could be seen through a telescope, they would be picturesque in
the extreme, somewhat resembling our beautiful Saturn. Moons play like
frisky lambs around some of its worlds, and many comets dance through
the length of the whole system in richer confusion than we have ever
beheld in the range of our telescopic vision.
Counting the worlds of larger size only, there are nearly one hundred
that fly through their orbits around Polaris, some with amazing
velocity. Within the bounds of this solar system I spent considerable
time.
The third world I visited I will call Stazza. It is two hundred millions
of miles from Polaris and is four hundred and fifty times as large as
our world.
I was amazed at the new turn of life-manifestation that I found there.
To me it was unusually interesting because its temperature is quite
similar to ours; but the order of life is reversed so completely that
the human beings inhabit the water, and the long narrow strips of earth
are infested with numerous species of land animals. It may seem
incredible that the depths of the ocean should be the seat of
intelligence rivaling our own.
The human creatures of Stazza average a trifle larger in size than we,
but they travel horizontally in water like a large fish. The limbs
support the body in rest, and in traveling are used like the hind legs
of a frog, only more gracefully. The arms closely resemble ours and have
an infinite variety of uses. In addition, there are four fin-like arms
that fold into the body when at rest, but are spread for service when
traveling. In all it must be admitted that these Stazza people are
capable of traveling more rapidly, and covering longer distances with
much less fatigue than are we. They can also carry greater burdens with
more ease. They wear no garments except one or two small pieces made of
a tough species of sea grass.
Five-sixths of Stazza are covered with water and its depth at a few
points is very great. Throughout all the water regions there are many
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