XI — Notice of a Shower of Fibrous Substance at Gains- 

 viLLE, Florida. — By George Lawson, Ll. D. 



(Read Sth May, 1S93.) 

 ABSTRACT. 



Dr. Lawson exhibited samples of a substance, consisting of 

 extremely delicate, pure white fibres, that liad fallen from the 

 atmosphere upon the ground in quantity large enough to whiten 

 it over an area extending about ten miles, around Gainsville, 

 Florida. The specimens, with an account of the phenomenon, had 

 been transmitted by Mr. R. S. Pike, of Gainsville, to Colonel 

 Stewart, of Halifax, in order that they might be examined 

 with a view to an explanation of the nature and source of the 

 substance. After examining them, Dr. Lawson wrote to Colonel 

 Stewart as follows :— 



22nd October, 1892. 

 Dear Colonel Stewart,— 



I have examined the mass of white threads which you handed 

 to me on the street yesterday, and which I understood you to say 

 had fallen in a shower over a region of some miles extent in 

 Florida. I find that the substance, on combustion, gives out an 

 ammoniacal odour, characteristic of bodies rich in nitrogen. It 

 cannot therefore be a vegetable fibre. It may be the silky sub- 

 stance of which many insects construct their cocoons. Under the 

 microscope, however, it shows the very fine round uniform thread 

 such as is produced by the more perfect spinning apparatus of a 

 spider. I have no doubt therefore that such is the origin of the 

 material. I shall be glad to hear how far this explanation 

 accords with the observations made by your Florida correspon- 

 dent. 



Yours faithfully, 



George Lawson. 

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