Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Zoology, Palaeontology, Animal Behaviour, Charlatanry, Astronomy, Homeopathy, Belief

    Noting that fish which apparently fell from the sky during a shower in Wales have been sent to Richard Owen, discusses the comparative anatomist's recent lecture on fossil mammalia at the Royal Institution. Draws attention to Owen's observation of the huge quantities of fossils along the red crag of Norfolk, and concludes that this region must have been inhabited by a 'prodigious' number of 'wild beasts' which were 'very thick with each other'. Considers this notion of a 'large flock of huge and ferocious animals' to be as improbable as the fish which fell from the sky from what appears to be the moon or the stars. Concludes by seeking assurances that the 'fish-shower' is not a hoax, and points out that once this is believed then so will the powers of homeopathy.