“The Coming Race” by Edward Bulwer-Lytton

"The Coming Race" by Edward Bulwer-Lytton

Also published as "Vril: The Power of the Coming Race"

"Edward Bulwer-Lytton's pioneering science fiction novel "Vril" was taken very seriously by 19th Century Atlantis fans. Vril is a mysterious energy which is used by Lytton's subterranian race (refugees from the Deluge) to power their advanced civilization; it was later treated as a reality by occultists."