order to make us understand that thinking beings are trying to
talk to us?

The sum of the angles of any triangle is equal to two right
angles.

That is true of every triangle, no matter what its shape, no
matter whether it be drawn on this earth or on the most distant
sun.

Therefore, when the Martian gentleman gets ready to talk to us he
need only repeatedly place before us two right angles followed by
a triangle, or a triangle followed by two right angles.
Instantly, like Aristippus, we can say there is civilization in
Mars, or wherever that sign comes from, or at least there is
organized thought. The mind that is flashing that sign knows
something about geometry.

Of course, we should also recognize "signs of civilization" if
the Martians should project upon our atmosphere a skeleton
hanging in chains. But it is to be hoped that the Martians have
got beyond that particular evidence of civilization.



SHALL WE DO WITHOUT SLEEP SOME DAY?

A half-developed being like man, hanging midway between primitive
barbarism and ultimate perfection, should study the insect tribes
which appear to have realized the possibilities of development in