Their actions and movements are largely matters of instinct and not guided to any great extent by reason, since the brain of a plant man is but a trifle larger than the end of your smallest finger. They live upon vegetation and the blood of animals, and their brain is just large enough to direct their movements in the direction of food, and to translate the food sensations which are carried to it from their eyes and ears.
They have no sense of self-preservation and so are entirely without fear in the face of danger. That is why they are such terrible antagonists in combat."
I wondered why the black man took such pains to discourse thus at length to enemies upon the genesis of life Barsoomian.
It seemed a strangely inopportune moment for a proud member of a proud race to unbend in casual conversation with a captor.