298 ROMANCE OF LOW LIFE AMONGST PLANTS. 



view appears to have been held by Ehrenberg, who 

 includes these latter instances of blood-rain with 

 his dust showers, in his volume on this subject. One 

 fact may, however, be arrived at, and that is the 

 possibility of water being coloured, even of a blood- 

 red colour, by the presence of minute organisms 

 belonging either to the fungi or to the algae ; that 

 there is nothing miraculous or extravagant in such 

 an event ; and although worthy of record as a phe- 

 nomenon of exceptional occurrence, it is not one 

 that is open to doubt on a suspicion of impossibility, 

 or one which should alarm the superstitious as a 

 portentous omen. Taken in connection with red 

 snow, dust showers, and such like occurrences, it will 

 be conceded that inquiry and investigation is only 

 necessary to trace them to their sources, and demon- 

 strate not only their possibility, but that they result 

 from perfectly natural causes. However much local 

 colouring may distort facts, and mere report be un- 

 satisfactory, without collateral evidence, there is no 

 doubt that most of the recorded instances of so-called 

 blood-rain did take place, although it is hopeless 

 to attempt to explain them in the absence of scientific 

 data. One such mystery cleared up, and denuded 

 of its fictitious surroundings, is quite sufficient to 

 predicate for the rest some foundation of fact, and 

 remove them from the region of romance. 



Ginger-Beer Plant. 



A peculiar substance is known in country districts 

 as the " ginger-beer plant," because it is used to pro- 

 duce home-made ginger-beer. By examination it is 



