The Manatitlans: or, A record of recent scientific explorations in the Andean La Plata, S. A.Smile, R. Elton
Science
The Manatitlans: or, A record of recent scientific explorations in the Andean La Plata, S. A.
Smile, R. Elton
Science fiction, American
After an hour’s close attention, Gnipho rehearsed to his father and
brother, The Admonitory Request of Giganteo, Dosch of Manatitla. “Your
ancestors of old Heraclea trained falcons for hunting, and through their
borrowed use the Manatitlans obtained a knowledge of giga and
animalculan nations beyond the ocean. We wished to recompense the
service by imparting the source of our happiness to the people of
Heraclea in return. But tyrannous ingratitude had so blunted
affectionate sympathy, that your immediate ancestors alone listened to
our warnings. But even they would have shared the common fate, if we had
not found among the slaves those capable of judging between the good and
evil. The majority of the enslaved were as relentless, as the doomed
were blind to their impending fate. They had determined that none of
their hated oppressors of either city should be spared; but the
Manatitlans through the same means that I propose to offer for your aid,
foiled the deadly intention of the slaves. While the old Heracleans were
reveling in the height of their prosperity, falconry, as with all the
pontine races coeval with their transatlantic progenitors, was their
favorite pastime. Aeriolus, a worthy successor of Buzzee, visited the
mews of old Heraclea, and with equally well devised skill in
preparation, conceived the idea of utilizing the swift flight of the
falcons and powers of abstinent endurance for crossing the ocean, the
shores of which he had visited with the limited powers of the bee
volant. Adventuring, with associate volantaphs, trials for their control
in hunting, he soon perfected guiding attachments as efficient for
directing their movements in flight as those devised for the bee.
Selecting the swiftest and strongest he gradually accustomed them to
long sustained flights over the ocean, insuring their welcome back to
the mews by increased docility—under direction—to the will and lures of
the falconer, when in the field. The anticipated difficulties from
opposing wind currents, and means of obtaining food sustenance, and
disposing of it while in flight, had been successfully overcome by
prolonged observations verified with tests. Food was obtained by
directing the falcons’ attention to flying fish as objects of prey,
which, with parachute aid, they were able, after a little practice under
the stimulus of hunger, to devour in mid air.
“In memorial of his success Aeriolus gives in testimony the transcribed
after observation. ‘The transition from meat to fish, for a “fasting”
flight of instinct, was adopted with far greater avidity than in human
acts of ritualistic conformity to mythical injunctions, which we have
seen practiced by the sectarian devotees to creeds, as negative
compensations for over indulgence of the carnal affections.’
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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