BOOK OF THE DAMNED 65 



bacterial action and decomposition, and whether bacteria could 

 survive in what we call space, of which we know nothing 



Chemical News, 35-183: 



Dr. A. T. Machattie, F.C.S., writes that, at London, Ontario, Feb. 

 24, 1868, in a violent storm, fell, with snow, a dark-colored sub- 

 stance, estimated at 500 tons, over a belt 50 miles by 10 miles. It 

 was examined under a microscope, by Dr. Machattie, who found it 

 to consist mainly of vegetable matter "far advanced in decompo- 

 sition." The substance was examined by Dr. James Adams, of 

 Glasgow, who gave his opinion that it was the remains of cereals. 

 Dr. Machattie points out that for months before this fall the 

 ground of Canada had been frozen, so that in this case a more 

 than ordinarily remote origin has to be thought of. Dr. Machattie 

 thinks of origin to the south. "However," he says, "this is mere 

 conjecture." 



Amer. Jour. Sd., 1841-40: 



That, March 24, 1840 during a thunderstorm at Rajkit, India, 

 occurred a fall of grain. It was reported by Col. Sykes, of the 

 British Association. 



The natives were greatly excited because it was grain of a 

 kind unknown to them. 



Usually comes forward a scientist who knows more of the things 

 that natives know best than the natives know but it so happens 

 that the usual thing was not done definitely in this instance: 



"The grain was shown to some botanists, who did not immediately 

 recognize it, but thought it to be either a spartium or a vicia." 



