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Title of Story
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The Star Germs
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Critical Introduction
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There is some confusion about the origin and form of this work, and multiple online records list variations on the information. Now that we have access to the Trove archive featuring scans of newspapers of the time, as well as scans of magazines, I can confirm the correct details. The Star Germs was first published as that in The Herald (Melbourne) in 1928 and features a character called The Satyr. There was no separate novel called The Satyr published in 1924. The Star Germs was later republished as "Star Germs" in The Daily Telegraph in Sydney in 1929. It was published again in 1938 in The Advocate (Burnie, Tas) as "The Satyr" by Eric North!
(A similar confusion exists with "The Green Flame" which was originally published in The Herald in 1928 and then later in The Advocate in 1938 renamed "Toad". There was no publication of a novel called "Toad" in 1924. As both The Green Flame and The Star Germs were published within weeks of each other, twice, it is easy to see how these could be confused.)
Both The Star Germs and The Satyr are the same story and consist of 22 chapters. A third title was chosen for its republishing in the Argosy magazine. "Three Against the Stars" (1938) by Eric North but consisting of 26 chapters across 5 issues. (The endings are the same). These 5 parts were reprinted as a 5-part novel in one issue in Fanastic Novels Magazine in 1950, again by Eric North, retaining Three Against The Stars. After searching through over one thousand pages of Trove newspaper results of articles and advertisements (including 200 ads just for Cronin's book 'Bracken') there isn't any evidence of The Star Germs being published anywhere before 1928. Also, it wasn't until 1925 that Cronin, arguably, began experimenting with science fiction. Before then, of his output of at least 300 short stories, novellas and novels, he occasionally dabbled with spiritual mysteries that turn out to have a rational explanation.
Interestingly, The Star Germs in 1928 in The Herald (Melbourne) and Star Germs in 1929 in The Daily Telegraph (Sydney) each feature a different home city for the protagonist.
From The Herald (Melbourne) 24 Nov 1928
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/246390025
“[I]t could scarcely be called street, for theirs was one of the very newest of
Melbourne's outer suburbs…”
From The Daily Telegraph (Sydney) 3 Jan 1929
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/246390025
“[I]t could scarcely be called street, for theirs was one of the very newest of
Sydney's outer suburbs…”
So, even within a week of its complete publication, it has already been edited by another publisher. It is up to future researchers to discover what changes have been made by newspapers and magazines by the time its final form was released in 1950.
I hope this clears up any confusion!
Bernard Cronin was the first president of The Society of Australian Authors and a well known figure in literary circles thanks to his courses on writing. While further research is needed, its possible Cronin's stories through the 1920s and 1930s (over 300) influenced the writing of his contemporaries Arthur Russell and Barrington Beverley (Harry Leigh Pink) due to their similarity of mixed genre style, length, and proliferation in similar newspapers and magazines. Cronin's reputation probably helped republish the Star Germs numerous times and most likely in places yet to be discovered, considering not many newspapers after 1955 have been made publicly available through Trove.
In my research, I discovered that most of Cronin's novella length serialised newspaper stories, that focused on Australian life and romance, were published as books soon after. These were advertised extensively in multiple newspapers in daily issues for weeks at a time. But, not a single advertisement for a printed copy of The Star Germs, perhaps confirming the idea that it was never released in book form.
Bernard Cronin's extensive collections of published Australian works may be in the public domain after 2038, unless copyright is still retained somewhere. With Three Against the Stars having been republished in the USA in 1950, it may be that that particular story might have to wait a bit longer.
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Story Summary
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An experimenter collects what he feels may be germs from the stars from the top of mountains and studies them in his laboratory. After several experiments he creates more complex forms of life. However, the Light-Biogen creatures wish to kill humans whereas a single germ that had evolved into the form of a goat dubbed The Satyr wants to use them for its own ends, but then ends up fighting against them, saving the humans as a result. An engaging story replete with scientific explanations.
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Science Fiction Subgenres
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Alien Invasion
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Alien Virus
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Inventions
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List coming soon
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Science
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Panspermia
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How this Story was Identified
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Keyclouds
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KeyClouds
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scientist experiment electricity scientific science engine mechanical earth world telescope
Of the 16 found with this keycloud, 6 were determined to be science fiction.
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Date Details Added to IA
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February 2023
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Additional Information
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A POPULAR AUTHOR
Sir, —I trust the time is not inopportune to tell you that I am enjoying Bernard Cronin's serial "Star Germs" to such an extent that I feel bound to write and thank you for its publication. This story, in my opinion, is Cronin’s best effort. and I sincerely trust you will let your readers have more of this popular Australian author’s stories.— Yours, etc., H
B. COHEN.
Elwood, December 15
The Herald (Melbourne, Vic) 18 Dec 1928
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/244017631
Advertisement:
The Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW) 31 Dec 1928
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/246827040
SCIENCE MAKES LIFE
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Amazing Experiment
in Sydney
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"STAR GERMS"
There are many who believe I the world will someday be peopled with Robots, or mechanical men.
WE are on the verge of terrific discoveries, and the vast possibilities of science form the theme of Bernard Cronin's latest story, "Star Germs," which will begin serial publication in the "Daily Telegraph Pictorial" on Thursday.
Mr. Cronin is an established Australian novelist, whose books always find a market oversea.
In "Star Germs" the leading character evolves from inanimate subjects several extraordinary forms of life, which have properties and habits.
The tale, with a Sydney setting, is packed with thrills, and has a strong love interest running through it.
Readers of the "Pictorial" will remember with pleasure the story, "The Green Flame," from the facile pen of Mr. Cronin, which was recently published in these columns.
Advertisement:
“STAR GERMS" BEGINS
ON THURSDAY
On Thursday a thrilling story, “Star Germs,” by Bernard Cronin, will begin in the “Daily Telegraph Pictorial.”
How a Sydney experimenter makes the most amazing discoveries, and creates life from inanimate objects, is told in vivid fashion.
Cronin has written many exciting stories, and in “Star Germs” he captures the reader’s interest from beginning to end.
The Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW) 31 Dec 1928
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/246826985
Occasionally illustrated in various chapters and versions.
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Attributed Author
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Bernard Cronin [aka Eric North]
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Author Gender
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Male
https://www.austlit.edu.au/austlit/page/A13712
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Nationality
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Australian
https://www.austlit.edu.au/austlit/page/A13712
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Mentioned Elsewhere
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Various online references list incorrect information which may have originally come from a hearsay document. These errors were discovered in 2023 and last rechecked in 2025.
1. Listed as The Satyr; a novel published in 1924. This is incorrect. No novel called The Satyr was published in 1924.
2. Listed as The Satyr published in The Melbourne Herald in 1924. This is incorrect. The Herald (Melbourne) published The Star Germs in 1924 featuring a character called The Satyr which either appeared or was referenced in most chapters from chapter 11 onwards.
3. Listed as Three Against the Stars in The Argosy July 1938. Partly correct. It was serialised across 5 issues of the Argosy at that time. Read the fifth online here: https://s3.us-west-1.wasabisys.com/luminist/PU/ARG_1938_07_30.pdf Note that this version has 26 chapters but the ending of the original published version is the same.
4. Listed as Three Against the Stars in Fantastic Novels Magazine Volume 4, No. 1. 1950 by Eric North. This is correct, yet splits the story into 5 sections.
5. It is not yet noted anywhere that it was printed as The Satyr in The Advocate in Tasmania across 22 separate issues in 1938, after its printing in the Argosy.
6. Bernard Cronin is generally believed to have used his pseudonym Eric North for all his science fiction stories. This is incorrect as The Star Germs was attributed to Bernard Cronin.
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Other Works by the Author Listed in the Newspaper
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No other works were listed on the day of publication, but advertising in previous issues mention The Green Flame. See Property 'Additional Information' for the advertisement text.
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Single or Serialised
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Serialised
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First Published Date of Last Installment
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1928-12-28
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Year For Sorting
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1928
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Date Range
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1928-11-24-1928-12-28
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Number of Installments
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22 Chapters, with 1 to 2 chapters published each issue
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Complete or Supplemented
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Complete
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Length
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Novel
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Book Release Details
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No book release. Reprinted several times with additional edits in various publications.
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Links in To Be Continued
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https://readallaboutit.com.au/#/title/66803
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Links to Trove
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Chapter 1
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/244092921
...
Chapters 21 & 22
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/244010524
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Newspaper Publisher Citation
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The Herald
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Newspaper Name Location Years
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The Herald Melbourne VIC 1861-1954
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Location Town City
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Melbourne
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Location State Territory
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Victoria
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Provincial or Metro
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Metropolitan
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Also Published in
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The Daily Telegraph Sydney NSW 1883-1930
Reprinted in 1937 as 'The Satyr' The Advocate Burnie TAS 1890-1954 with all 22 chapters in separate issues and numbers changed to roman letters:
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/68516989
Also published as 'Three Against the Stars' in July 1938 Argosy magazine and attributed to Cronin's pseudonym Eric North.
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Apply for Access to Any Media Held by IA
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Bernard Cronin died in 1968 so this title won't be in the public domain until at least 2039.
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Content Advisory
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These items are historical texts digitised from their original publication, and reflects the social attitudes, cultural values, and language of the time in which they were created. Some content may include depictions or references that are racist, sexist, ableist, colonialist, or otherwise offensive by contemporary standards. This material is presented uncensored for scholarly, archival, and educational purposes. It serves as a record of past cultural attitudes and is preserved here to support critical engagement, historical reflection, and the advancement of inclusive scholarship. Reader discretion is advised.
