
          Ansd [Answered] May 18th

Homer N.Y. Mar. 29th 1853

Prof. J. Torry

Dear Sir, I take the liberty of sending
you a specimen of a substance which fell with
the rain here last Sat. [Saturday] morning, 26th inst. I first
discovered it about 10 a.m. but I am told
that it was seen soon after day light. It rained
some during the night with a moderate breeze
from the S.E. but ceased as soon as light or before.
It commenced again soon after 9 a.m. & ceased
about 1 p.m. being very gentle & the breeze hardly
perceptible. This substance I collected on the fly
stones, & I regret that professional engagements prevented
my collecting sufficient for thorough chemical
analysis. Under the best microscope I am 
able to command at this place the substance has the
appearance I have delineated in the margin. The
extremities dark but the middle portion translucent
& swelling out beyond the rest of the mess. I perceive
this evening that they are changing their form some
what & I fear that you will not find this in a 
very satisfactory state for examination.

The popular opinion of its nature was that it was
sulphur. This of course is not so. It has been pronounced
by scientific men to be the pollen of some southern plant
now in bloom. By some it [crossed out: is regarded] was said to be
the larvae of microscopic insects. Will you do me the favor

        