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270 forms the denizens took! Here were monsters so unwieldy that they seemed not to care to move; while smaller animals again, endowed with a curious vitality, kept constantly leaping, running, and climbing. The variety of birds appeared to be endless: and how large and brilliant many of them were! Occasionally a human being would move among them. The indifference, however, with which his presence was regarded by the denizens of the forest was simply charming.

I again heard the voice of Pondropell, this time advising me to cease looking, as it was a great strain on the eyes, and might do them an injury. However, I took no notice of him, and never moved a muscle; whereupon I heard a sharp click, and all was darkness.

I now raised my head, but could see objects only very indistinctly, and felt paralysed by what I had seen. I became giddy, and Pondropell assisted me to a seat near the table. He then left the room, but soon afterwards returned with a vessel in his hand. Holding it to my lips, I drank, and felt much better. But still my eyes were very painful.

"You have looked rather long for the first time," he said kindly. "I should have closed it