CHAPTER LIX.
They Converse Of The Mollusca, Kings, Toad-Stools And Other Matters Once more embarking, we gained Vivenza's southwestern side and there, beheld vast swarms of laborers discharging from canoes, great loads of earth; which they tossed upon the beach.
"It is true, then," said Media "that these freemen are engaged in digging down other lands, and adding them to their own, piece-meal.
And this, they call extending their dominions agriculturally, and peaceably." "My lord, they pay a price for every canoe-load," said Mohi.
"Ay, old man, holding the spear in one hand, and striking the bargain with the other." "Yet charge it not upon all Vivenza," said Babbalanja.

"Some of her tribes are hostile to these things: and when their countryman fight for land, are only warlike in opposing war." "And therein, Babbalanja, is involved one of those anomalies in the condition of Vivenza," said Media, "which I can hardly comprehend.

How comes it, that with so Many things to divide them, the valley-tribes still keep their mystic league intact ?" "All plain, it is because the model, whence they derive their union, is one of nature's planning.

My lord, have you ever observed the mysterious federation subsisting among the molluscs of the Tunicata order,--in other words, a species of cuttle-fish, abounding at the bottom of the lagoon ?" "Yes: in clear weather about the reefs, I have beheld them time and again: but never with an eye to their political condition." "Ah! my lord king, we should not cut off the nervous communication between our eyes, and our cerebellums." "What were you about to say concerning the Tunicata order of mollusca, sir philosopher ?" "My very honorable lord, I hurry to conclude.

They live in a compound structure; but though connected by membranous canals, freely communicating throughout the league--each member has a heart and stomach of its own; provides and digests its own dinners; and grins and bears its own gripes, without imparting the same to its neighbors.
But if a prowling shark touches one member, it ruffles all.