The Unprotected Species

The Unprotected Species is a science fiction novel by Melvin Sturgis, published in September 1956 in Fantastic Universe. Set in the mid-20th century, it follows a crew sent to survey a newly discovered planet for colonization, where they encounter gnome-like creatures. As the crew members begin to lose their sanity and descend into chaos, senior biologist Gallifa investigates the gnomes and their potential mind-altering influence, leading to a chilling exploration of fear and survival in an alien environment.