More Signalling to Mars.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 14, 3 April 1902, Page 17

More Signalling to Mars.

In a recent issue our contributor, ' Quip,' bad some refer- •

ences to signalling Mars, and by a somewhat curious coincidence it now appears that Nikola Tesla is preparing a new surprise for the scientific world on the same line 3, being aided by trusted workmen sworn to secrecy, and is putting the finiflhing touches on an untried instrument for flashing signals to Mars. An American visitor reported that he found his way unannounced to the laboratory, and this is what he saw : ' From a stout beam in the centre of the rough-hewn ceiling hung three dazzling, pulsating clots of purple violet light. The room glowed with the warmth of color. The hue was indescribably brilliant. The three centres of light sent out wave after wave of a strange, unearthly, rich color—a hue that iB not listed in the spectrum. Above and below the beams twisted long glaes spiral", closely coiled—snakes of beating, violet flame. There was no snapping spark now and then to indicate the touoh of electric current. Tbe centres of light seemed more like the illumination from a half-opaq-ae gas mantle, but beating like a pulse. Those who know say this violet light is wizard Tesla's new flash signal to the Martians. He will reveal it to the world soon.' * The quasi-scientific American variety of story is well known, and sometimes the scientific illusion is well maintained. There is that story of the electrified cat, for example, which is excruciatingly funny. It will probably be found that Tesla is experimenting with a new illuminant from electricity, and that when his prying visitor concluded he was trying to communicate with the Martians he was simply experimenting with an improved Rontgen ray.