There is another view of the Block possible to a plane-being. If the
Block be turned round the X axis, the lower face comes into the vertical
plane. This corresponds to turning Model 1 round the Orange line. On
referring to the diagram (Fig. 14), we now see that the name of the
faces of the cubes coming into the plane is Syce. Here the plane-being
looks from the extremity of the Z axis and the squares, which he sees
run from him in the -Z direction. (As this turn of the Block brings its
Syce into the vertical plane so that it extends three inches below the
base line of its Moena, it is evident that the turn is only possible if
the Moena be originally at a height of at least three inches above the
plane-being’s earth line in the vertical plane.) Next, if the Block be
passed through the plane, the sections shown in the Diagrams 2 and 3
(Fig. 14) are brought into view.
Thus, there are three distinct ways of regarding the cubic Block, each
of them equally primary; and if the plane-being is to have a correct
idea of the Block, he must be equally familiar with each view. By means
of the slabs each aspect can be represented; but we must remember in
each of the three cases, that the slabs represent different parts of the
cube.
When we look at the cube Pallor Mala in space, we see that it touches
six other cubes by its six faces. But the plane-being could only arrive
at this fact by comparing different views. Taking the three Moena
sections of the Block, he can see that Pallor Mala Moena touches Plebs
Moena, Mora Moena, Uncus Moena, and Tergum Moena by lines. And it takes
the place of Bidens Moena, and is itself displaced by Cortis Moena as
the Block passes through the plane. Next, this same Pallor Mala can
appear to him as an Alvus. In this case, it touches Plebs Alvus, Mora
Alvus, Bidens Alvus, and Cortis Alvus by lines, takes the place of Uncus
Alvus, and is itself displaced by Tergum Alvus as the Block moves.
Similarly he can observe the relations, if the Syce of the Block be in
his plane.
Hence, this unknown body Pallor Mala appears to him now as one
plane-figure now as another, and comes before him in different
connections. Pallor Mala is that which satisfies all these relations.
Each of them he can in turn present to sense; but the total conception
of Pallor Mala itself can only, if at all, grow up in his mind. The way
for him to form this mental conception, is to go through all the
practical possibilities which Pallor Mala would afford him by its
various movements and turns. In our world these various relations are
found by the most simple observations; but a plane-being could only
acquire them by considerable labour. And if he determined to obtain a
knowledge of the physical existence of a higher world than his own, he
must pass through such discipline.
* * * * *
[Illustration: Fig. 15.]
[Illustration: Fig. 16.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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