purpose.
Plasden is truly a wonderful water world. Its inhabitants are not
confined to the under-water life like those found in Stazza, neither are
they strictly compelled to remain in the atmosphere, although that is
their normal condition. The Plasdenites can sustain life under water,
but only with discomfort. They have three times as many ribs as we
possess, and between them are openings into which air or water enters
for life sustentation. These flabby ribs slowly rise and fall
continuously and involuntarily.
I would describe the upper portion of their bodies, but they would seem
so contrary to our ideas of beauty that I will pass on by saying that to
my eye, now trained in the larger school of interstellar harmonies,
these Plasdenites are lovely and lovable human creatures. They have
reached a high state of civilization and, being gifted with the spirit
life, they are still forging ahead toward perfection, unconsciously
competing with their fellow spirits in millions of worlds.
Plasden is an old planet. Human beings have lived thereon for thirty
thousand years, and consequently, ages ago, the land area became so
densely populated that there was not enough room to accommodate the
increasing millions. This perplexing problem was solved in a very
peculiar manner by an experiment on the part of a wealthy Plasdenite,
who, seven thousand years ago, took advantage of the extremely light
mineral products of this world and built for himself a floating mansion
which covered about ten acres according to our measurements.
This fairy palace was floated on the great oceans from one continent to
another, propelled by the wind and controlled by a series of motors.
After a few years he returned to his native shore and conceived the idea
of building around his palace a water village. All foundations were made
of strong aluminum-like substance mixed with molten granite which, upon
hardening, formed a compound of marvelous lightness and durability. With
painstaking care and unceasing energy the water village was transformed
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