Gentola--In all directions there are extensive plains, with here and there forests heavily timbered with enormously large trees and undergrowths of shrubbery. Toward the west are numbers of small lakes or, perhaps, they may be reservoirs connecting with each other through channels on which are small boats passing to and fro. Far eastward is a river, flowing southward, and it is the only flowing water within range of my vision. The entire region is dotted with residences and other structures. Some are very like the one occupied by Giant and his family, others are more pretentious and picturesque and all are surrounded by orchards, gardens and cultivated fields, in which are many men busily engaged. I see, too, immense herds of grazing animals which are quite unlike any you yet have shown me. De L'Ester--George, we will alight near the herds toward our left, and you, Gentol[a:], will describe the creatures. Gentola--What gentle looking, pretty animals they are. They are twice as large as our domestic sheep, and from their heads to the tips of their short tails they are covered with a close growth of long waved, silken wool. Some herds are white, some brown, others of a light reddish, brown, and their hornless heads, large pointed, erect ears, and large wide open eyes, give them such a surprised expression that it really is amusing. Even to their cloven hoofs, they resemble, but are handsomer animals than sheep. De L'Ester--Your description is accurate. Yes, the creatures, naturally, are hornless; that is why they are known as the Angossa. Having already informed you as to their uses, we will not devote further time to them. Those bodies of water are, for the most part, reservoirs for the retention of the spring over-flow of the river you have seen in the distance. Indeed, all are reservoirs, though formerly some of them were diminutive lakes which have been enlarged. Along the entire length of the river at intervals its banks are pierced by channels through which its surplusage is conveyed into reservoirs to be used for irrigation and other purposes. Inidor[a:] informs us that previous to his father's visit to these people their methods of irrigation were very imperfect, but quickly they were taught a better system. Apart from general irrigation, which is a necessary process on this leveled planet, you have been informed that there is what is termed the Irrigating and Waterways System; as we journey toward the equator we will cross the northern half of this System, which is about 1,400 miles wide, and at present nearly 5,000 in length. The central waterways traverse the equatorial and temperate regions, and in time the system will, through connections with natural water divisions, encircle the entire Planet. During the time allotted to our mission it will not be practicable to visit the entire planet, so only such portions and features of it as may best subserve our purpose will be shown you.