Appleton, Victor – Tom Swift Jr 14 – And His Electronic Retroscope

First Doc examined the Mayas’ fine white teeth and exclaimed admiringly when he found no sign of dental decay.

“That will be a good subject for the Grandyke study,” he said. “It may have something to do with their diet. Here’s another interesting feature,” he added, as he examined their eyes. “Notice this trace of a fold of flesh at the inner corner of each eye, called the epicanthic fold. When large, it’s what gives Orientals their slant-eyed appearance.”

44 ELECTRONIC RETROSCOPE

“That seems to bear out the theory that Indian tribes either crossed over to this continent from Asia and settled here, or started here and went the other way,” Tom commented.

As Doc proceeded to give the Mayas a more detailed examination, Tom left the sick bay and hurried up to his private laboratory. Dick Folsom and Jack Murray went with him, eager to learn more about his electronic retroscope.

“We looked the equipment over on our flight down here,” Dick said, “but frankly we don’t understand how it works.”

The setup was in three parts. The camera itself consisted of several electronic devices, connected by cable to two large console units, each one studded with dials and controls.

“It looks complicated, but the basic principle is fairly simple,” Tom said. “As you know, any rock may undergo radioactive aging as its natural elements break down and become other elements. That happens all through the rock. But the layers nearer the surface are more exposed to cosmic radiation from the outside.”

“Your dad said that you’re interested in studying some rock carvings,” put in Jack. “A carved surface means that different layers of rock are exposed all at one time.”