rove in search of other wonders. Actually I am 

 traveling at an imperceptible pace, although ap- 

 parently my progress is swift. Under the lens, the 

 rate of movement is magnified as well as is dimen- 

 sion. Skirting the base of the red seaweed clinging 

 to the shell, and whose every cell is now conspicu- 

 ous, resembling a combined curtain composed 

 of aboriginal beadwork, I am shortly brought to 

 a halt by what appears to be a tall circular chim- 

 ney constructed of amorphous blocks of white 

 marble and topaz and clear quartz. Obviously this 

 is an artifact. Such pieces do not assemble them- 

 selves naturally in so exquisite and orderly a for- 

 mation. Each component is fitted into place with 

 a nicety not surpassed by examples of human 

 handiwork. 



A constant stream of suspended particles flow- 

 ing into the orifice at the top betrays the presence 

 of the artisan within. Motes drifting casually by 

 when coming within the radius of several diame- 

 ters of the hole suddenly disappear down the tube 

 as if caught in the vortex of a whirlpool. Most of 

 these motes, I perceive, are minute protozoa. 



Now structures such as this, both microscopic 

 and macroscopic, are not exactly new to me; and 



[137] 



