----- Original Message ----- From: <Jon_Lincicum at stream.com> > > > > >> At a guess, I would say the effects of the atmosphere on our heroes > maybe > >> less due to a lack of oxygen (which I think would tend to inspire > deeper > >> breathing), than to the presence of some other contaminant (CO2?) > >> introducing a mild poisoning effect (which would encourage shallow > >> breathing). > >> > > > >I imagined the opposite. The atmosphere is more oxygen-rich, > >therefore taking normal/deep breaths results in hyperventlating. > > Here's another clue, Issola Pg 51: > > [cite] > > The air smelled funny, sort of sweet with a queer kind of tang in it. > > [/cite] > <snip> > The documentary I saw on this described the smell of the ether as a "sweet > perfume-like odor". > > Or maybe this is reading too much into a single line of text. > > Majikjon > Or, they could be in Vegas. The air sucks there as well, and I know after playing cards all night I feel heavier and lethargic. jeff - thinks Vegas looks pretty. . . after dark.