I was curious what muaw had to say to. Maybe reading up on it? ;)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panspermia
http://www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/D/dirpans.html
Philip Jose Farmer had a better handle on it than Delaney or Tolkien.
So, if there's something meaningful in the Hobbitt, you'd best C&P it 'cause otherwise I'll never see it through all that glaze.