[1] Our classic book is fiction, the kind of fiction that tells truth in its own way. Now [2] nature newsblog reports that it was telling truth in another, now-scientifically established way, all along. Not really a surprise, but still, it’s nice to get the nod. “Which truth?” you ask.

Satellite observations suggest vegetation encourages rainfall in Africa.

More rain makes for more plant growth: that much is obvious. But now a statistical study of satellite images has added weight to the reverse notion: more plants also make for more rain.