SPONTANEOUS GENERATION. 25 



a ^5 of an inch lens. With this power, of 3500 diameters, I made 

 out distinctly that the Vibrio baccillus, (fig. 9,) 

 as it is called, consists of a series of little rods 

 which are joined end to end by a delicate mem- 

 brane ; or rather, I might say, that they are en- 

 sheathed in a tubular membrane, with sufficient 

 space between the successive rods to allow them J 

 to double upon each other. Although they are 

 represented here under a lower amplification, 

 only 2000 diameters, yet I think it is sufficient 

 to show the manner in which they are connected 

 with each other. Their movements are very 

 much like those of Vibrio rugula, but still they have a method of 

 progression which is eminently characteristic, for such minute 

 bodies, when seen with the highest magnifying powers. I know 

 of nothing so apt to compare them with, when in motion, as a 

 jointed toy-snake vibrating. The effect is most striking when 

 one of the longest, many-jointed specimens moves across the 

 field of the microscope with a sort of disjointed action, as if each 

 rod held an independent course in one common stream. Some- 

 times a considerable portion of the end of the sheath was empty 

 and collapsed, (fig. 9, c,) and in this condition, being quite 

 flexible, it was difficult to persuade one's self that it was not a 

 vibrating cilium, as it waved from side to side during the undu- 

 lating progress of the chain. This, as well as the moniliform 

 Vibrio, is generally considered to be allied to certain aquatic, 

 filamentous plants, common in our streams and ponds, which are 

 known as Oscillatoria. 



Now it is true that in these experiments of Professor Wyman, 

 the matter which was introduced into the flasks was not reduced 

 to its separate chemical elements C, H, O, N, but rather to the 

 fluid state. This is the condition of animal and vegetable sub- 

 stances when in a decomposed state ; and when such large 

 numbers of animalculae, identical with those which have just 



Fig. 9. Vibrio baccillus. Ehr. 2000 diameteis. a, b, c, three individuals 

 in various attitudes of flexion whilst in motion. Original. 



