Symzonia: Voyage of DiscoverySeaborn, Adam, Captain
Science
Symzonia: Voyage of Discovery
Seaborn, Adam, Captain
Science fiction; Voyages, Imaginary
At the time of full sea, one half of the Penguins assemble in the
centre-square, where they parade in regular order. They then march
off, two abreast, and in close order, preceded by a leader, to the
diving-place. They dive into the sea in succession, as they arrive,
and swim off to feed on kelp, rock-weed, small fish, and other marine
productions. During their absence, the other half remain stationary
upon their stands, keeping watch; occasional short visits by some few
of them to their nearest neighbours, being the only deviation from
strict duty in this particular, that is allowed. If any one strays
far from his station, or shows a disposition to go out to feed, he
is pecked and driven back by the others. At the turn of the tide,
those that are out collect about the landing-place; some sporting in
the water, leaping and diving with great dexterity; others lounging
upon the shore, apparently admiring themselves and each other, like
our fashionable belles and dandies in Broadway. When the leader lands,
they form in regular order, march to the square, in the same manner as
they left it, divide into squadrons, and file off to their respective
stations to relieve guard. As soon as those returned from feeding
mount the stands, the others leap off and repair to the square. When
collected, they form, and march off to the diving place in the manner
before described, to take their tide of feeding and recreation. Thus
they occupy the day; each having the benefit of a full tide, and each
doing his share of domestic duties.
At night all are assembled in the city, and each stand is crowned
with two of these exemplary birds.
The contemplation of these orderly, discreet, and beautiful
amphibia, afforded me much pleasure, and gave rise to many delightful
anticipations. It appeared certain to me that they, in common with
seals, whales, and mackerel, were visiters from the internal world
through the southern opening, which they were admirably formed to pass
and repass; for they moved with great facility, in the water, and could
exist under it as well as fish. On land they walked with as much ease
as men, and in the same erect posture. It occurred to me that a world,
in which the brute creation were so neatly formed, so polished in their
manners, so social in their habits, and so quiet and well behaved,
must, if men existed in it, be the abode of a race perfect in their
kind. I had no apprehension of the air being unhealthy in the internal
world as suggested by Capt. Symmes, because the climate in which these
visiters are found in the greatest numbers is the healthiest of the
external world, which indicates that they are accustomed to good air,
or they would not affect this salubrious region.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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