The low upper limit on heat removal by plate tectonics inferred by Kaula and Phillips [1981> has been questioned on the grounds that volcanic deposits may conceal the characteristic shape of topography arising from plate tectonic spreading. But a quantitative analysis indicates that volcanism sufficient for concealment must bring a major part of the heat to the surface, thus making plate tectonics the secondary process for heat removal. This inference is reinforced by consideration of the topographic structure and thickness of lave flows necessary. It thus appears that the principal process bringing heat to the surface of Venus is either lithospheric conduction or lava flows.