The Germ Growers

Robert Potter: (1831-1908) Irish-born author and clergyman, in Australia from early manhood; his sf novel The Germ Growers: An Australian Story of Adventure and Mystery was published in Australia as by Robert Easterley and John Wilbraham, the names of the protagonists, but in the UK as "edited by" Potter. A race of discarnate beings, denizens of the interplanetary "ether" capable of assuming human form, mind-controlling humans, and able to Teleport, invades Earth and sets up beachheads where they cultivate plague germs to be used on humanity; one beachhead is discovered in the Australian outback, with an Alien who calls himself Davelli in charge, and the adventures begin. (sf-encyclopedia.com)