Haunted Houses (1924) - Page 11

XIII. THE SEARCH FOR CAUSES . . . . . 340

The Origin and Method of Production of Haunting Phenomena

The Fifth Element Historically called the "Aether" or "Quintessence," the fifth element was often proposed by early researchers as a medium through which psychic forces or spiritual energy could operate.

EPILOGUE—THE UNKNOWN OF YESTERDAY IS

THE TRUTH OF TOMORROW . . . 379

Progress Surrounded by Obstacles

Lavoisier’s Report to the Academy of Sciences on Meteorites Antoine Lavoisier (1743–1794) was a pioneering French chemist. In 1772, he co-authored a famous report for the Academy of Sciences dismissing the existence of meteorites, arguing that "stones cannot fall from the sky." Flammarion uses this to show how even great scientists can be blinded by the prejudices of their era.