# Bird, Beast, or Fish? explained — The Skylark of Space

> Chapter companion for The Skylark of Space by E. E. Smith.

## What happens

Seaton and crew pursue a karlon, a creature that exhibits traits of bird, beast, and fish, diving deep into the ocean and burrowing underground. After a prolonged chase, they kill it with an X-plosive bullet. Later, they load platinum from Kondal's foundries, and Seaton plans to break the platinum jewelry market. The chapter also includes discussions about the faidon jewels and the marriage certificate of Seaton and Dorothy.

## Themes in this chapter

### Exploration and the Unknown

The pursuit of the karlon into the ocean depths and underground illustrates the theme of exploring unknown environments and creatures.

### Scientific Discovery and Innovation

Seaton's analysis of the faidon and the use of the attractor and X-plosive bullets highlight scientific curiosity and technological advancement.

### Power and Corruption

Seaton's plan to break the platinum market reflects a critique of economic power and the misuse of resources for vanity.

## Character check-ins

### Richard Seaton

Leads the pursuit of the karlon, operates the attractor, and discusses plans for platinum and faidon analysis.

### Martin Crane

Calculates depth and pressure, fires the X-plosive bullet, and comments on the value of the jewels.

### Dorothy Vaneman

Reacts to the dive, admires her faidon ring, and reads the marriage certificate with Seaton.

### Marc DuQuesne

Asks about the ship's ability to withstand underground travel, and is listed as a witness on the marriage certificate.

### Margaret Spencer

Asks if Seaton has read his marriage certificate and participates in the conversation about the jewels.

### Dunark

Inquires about the karlon, arranges the loading of platinum, and grants Seaton's request for metal and a faidon.

### Tarnan

Certifies the marriage certificate as Head of the Church and Commander-in-Chief of Kondal.

### Roban

Listed as a witness on the marriage certificate.

## Key lines

> It seems to combine all the characteristics of bird, beast, and fish, and to have within itself the possibilities of both bisexual and asexual reproduction.

The creature appears to have traits of birds, mammals, and fish, and can reproduce both sexually and asexually.

_Dunark's savants describe the karlon's unique biology._

> I'm going to burst this unjustifiable fad for platinum jewelry so wide open that it'll never recover, and make platinum again available for its proper uses, in laboratories and in the industries.

Seaton intends to destroy the trend of using platinum for jewelry so that it can be used for scientific and industrial purposes.

_Seaton explains his motivation for bringing back large amounts of platinum._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/chapters/xvii-bird-beast-or-fish
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/chapters