axies
were Arisian, not Eddorian, in origin. Eddorian spores, while
undoubtedly present, must have been so alien that they could not develop
in any one of the environments, widely variant although they are,
existing naturally or coming naturally into being in normal space and
time.

The Arisians--especially after atomic energy freed them from physical
labor--devoted themselves more and ever more intensively to the
exploration of the limitless possibilities of the mind.

Even before the Coalescence, then, the Arisians had need neither of
space-ships nor of telescopes. By power of mind alone they watched the
lenticular aggregation of stars which was much later to be known to
Tellurian astronomers as Lundmark's Nebula approach their own galaxy.
They observed attentively and minutely and with high elation the
occurrence of mathematical impossibility; for the chance of two galaxies
ever meeting in direct, central, equatorial-plane impact and of passing
completely through each other is an infinitesimal of such a high order
as to be, even mathematically, practically indistinguishable from zero.

They observed the birth of numberless planets, recording minutely in
their perfect memories every detail of everything that happened; in the
hope that, as ages passed, either they or their descendants would be
able to develop a symbology and a methodology capable of explaining the
then inexplicable phenomenon. Carefree, busy, absorbedly intent, the
Arisian mentalities roamed throughout space--until one of them struck an
Eddorian mind.

* * * * *

While any Eddorian could, if it chose, assume the form of a man, they
were in no sense man-like. Nor, since the term implies a softness and a
lack of organization, can they be described as being amoeboid. They were
both versatile and variant. Each Eddorian changed, not only its shape,
but also its texture, in accordance with the requirements of the moment.
Each produced--extruded--members whenever and wherever it needed them;
members uniquely appropriate to the task then in work. If hardness was
indicated, the members were hard; if softness, they were soft. Small or
large, rigid or flexible; joined or tentacular--all one. Filaments or
cables; fingers or feet; needles or mauls--equally simple. One thought
and the body fitted the job.

They were asexual: sexless to a degree unapproached by any form of
Tellurian life higher than the yeasts. They were not mere