PreScience Fiction

You may have seen in the news that scientists have been interested to see emissions of gas on the surface of Mars.

You may also have read The War Of The Worlds by H.G.Wells, in which, in Chapter One, there is the following section:

... Lavelle of Java set the wires of the astronomical exchange palpitating with the amazing intelligence of a huge outbreak of incandescent gas upon the planet. It had occurred towards midnight of the twelfth; and the spectroscope, to which he had at once resorted, indicated a mass of flaming gas, chiefly hydrogen, moving with an enormous velocity towards this earth. This jet of fire had become invisible about a quarter past twelve. He compared it to a colossal puff of flame suddenly and violently squirted out of the planet, "as flaming gases rushed out of a gun."

Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go and check that the cupboards in my underground compound are well stocked with canned goods.