"Edmond Hamilton - Captain Future's Worlds of Tomorrow 17 - Futuria" - читать интересную книгу автора (Hamilton Edmond)

was particularly evident in the volcanic region, and had the
double effect of making life tolerable for the Jovians, and
impossible for most other races.
Carnivorous Plants Appear
Along with the unexpected animal immigrants, Futuria
has also found itself supplied with unwanted plants. A
living forest, composed of carnivorous vegetative and
semi-vegetative forms undoubtedly owes its formation to
spores brought in on unfumigated ships. So too do the
Fungus Plains, a flat area some fifty miles in diameter, that
shines with a queer greenish light of its own, and at night
serves as a gigantic natural lighthouse for space ships
racing in from the outer planets.
Mycologists estimate that more than ten thousand
varieties of molds and other fungi grow here in great
profusion. Unfortunately, the predominant kinds seem to
be relatives of the exceedingly virulent Saturnian varieties,
and most animals live no more than a few moments after
setting foot within its borders.
2
Inhabitants Like Futuria
Of course, not all of Futuria's immigrants are unwanted.
Great numbers of people from all hitherto existing planets
have taken up their abodes not far from the Equatorial
Canal, where the climate is most pleasant. They have come
in bewildering variety, and form the most cosmopolitan
population yet seen within the System.
They have built up, with Government help, three main
cities -- Lunar City, named for the Futuremen's home,
Cometstown, for the teardrop-shaped vessel, and what may
come as a surprise -- Gragville, named, it need not be said,
for the great robot himself.
The choice of a name for Gragville came only after an
excited and somewhat amusing controversy that lasted for
more than a month.
The mayor of what had at first been known as
Settlement Number Three wrote to Newton asking that
either he or Simon accept the honor of having the city
named after himself, and be present at the dedicatory
exercises. Simon, who had long since passed the stage of
seeking such honors, refused at once.
Curt Newton, who had other matters to interest him at
the moment, and could not spare the time needed to visit
the city, declined politely, stating that the planet's name
was honor enough, and suggested instead that the new
metropolis be named after either Grag or Otho. And as he
temporarily needed the services of neither the android nor
the robot, he shipped them both off to Futuria, and the
delighted but worried mayor of Settlement Three now
found himself facing a real problem.