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more receding frontal。 It haunts the side of lakes and pools； and feeds
principally on fishes； though it does not object to any terrestrial animal of
inferior strength that comes in its way。 It is becoming very scarce even
in the wild districts； where it is devoured by gigantic reptiles。 I
apprehended that it clearly belongs to the tiger species； since the parasite
animalcule found in its paw； like that in the Asiatic tiger； is a miniature
image of itself。
But the researches of the sages are not confined to such subtle or
elegant studies。 They comprise various others more 39important； and
especially the properties of vril； to the perception of which their finer
nervous organisation renders the female Professors eminently keen。 It is
out of this college that the Tur； or chief magistrate； selects Councillors；
limited to three； in the rare instances in which novelty of event or
circumstance perplexes his own judgment。
There are a few other departments of minor consequence； but all are
carried on so noiselessly； and quietly that the evidence of a government
seems to vanish altogether； and social order to be as regular and
unobtrusive as if it were a law of nature。 Machinery is employed to an
inconceivable extent in all the operations of labour within and without
doors； and it is the unceasing object of the department charged with its
administration to extend its efficiency。 There is no class of labourers or
servants； but all who are required to assist or control the machinery are
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The Coming Race
found in the children； from the time they leave the care of their mothers to
the marriageable age； which they place at sixteen for the Gy…ei （the
females）； twenty for the Ana （the males）。 These children are formed into
bands and sections under their own chiefs； each following the pursuits in
which he is most pleased； or for which he feels himself most fitted。
Some take to handicrafts； some to agriculture； some to household work；
and some to the only services of danger to which the population is
exposed； for the sole perils that threaten this tribe are； first； from those
occasional convulsions within the earth； to foresee and guard against
which tasks their utmost ingenuity… irruptions of fire and water； the storms
of subterranean winds and escaping gases。 At the borders of the domain；
and at all places where such peril might be apprehended； vigilant
inspectors are stationed with telegraphic communications to the hall in
which chosen sages take it by turns to hold perpetual sittings。 These
inspectors are always selected from the elder boys approaching the age of
puberty； and on the principle that at that age observation is more acute and
the physical forces more alert than at any other。 The second service of
danger； less grave； 40is in the destruction of all creatures hostile to the life；
or the culture； or even the comfort； of the Ana。 Of these the most
formidable are the vast reptiles； of some of which antediluvian relics are
preserved in our museums； and certain gigantic winged creatures； half bird；
half reptile。 These； together with lesser wild animals； corresponding to
our tigers or venomous serpents； it is left to the younger children to hunt
and destroy； because； according to the Ana； here ruthlessness is wanted；
and the younger the child the more ruthlessly he will destroy。 There is
another class of animals in the destruction of which discrimination is to be
used； and against which children of intermediate age are appointed…
animals that do not threaten the life of man； but ravage the produce of his
labour； varieties of the elk and deer species； and a smaller creature much
akin to our rabbit； though infinitely more destructive to crops； and much
more cunning in its mode of depredation。 It is the first object of these
appointed infants； to tame the more intelligent of such animals into respect
for enclosures signalised by conspicuous landmarks； as dogs are taught to
respect a larder； or even to guard the master's property。 It is only where
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The Coming Race
such creatures are found untamable to this extent that they are destroyed。
Life is never taken away for food or for sport； and never spared where
untamably inimical to the Ana。 Concomitantly with these bodily
services and tasks； the mental education of the children goes on till
boyhood ceases。 It is the general custom； then； to pass though a course
of instruction at the College of Sages； in which； besides more general
studies； the pupil receives special lessons in such vocation or direction
of intellect as he himself selects。 Some； however； prefer to pass this
period of probation in travel； or to emigrate； or to settle down at once
into rural or commercial pursuits。 No force is put upon individual
inclination。
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The Coming Race
CHAPTER X。
The word Ana （pronounced broadly 'Arna'） corresponds with our
plural 'men；' An （pronounced 'Arn'）； the singular； with 'man。' The word
for woman is Gy （pronounced hard； as in Guy）； it forms itself into Gy…ei
for the plural； but the G becomes soft in the plural like Jy…ei。 They
have a proverb to the effect that this difference in pronunciation is
symbolical； for that the female sex is soft in the concrete； but hard to
deal with in the individual。 The Gy…ei are in the fullest enjoyment of
all the rights of equality with males； for which certain philosophers
above ground contend。
In childhood they perform the offices of work and la