THE BEGINNINGS OF LIFE . 



the presence of phosphates or of phosphoric acid may 

 be also necessary for the development of this product. 

 The specimens found in urine are about half the size 

 of those which occur in the stomach; the latter also 

 have a brownish tint, whilst those found in my saline 

 solutions 1 have been colourless and more sharply de- 

 fined, though very variable in sifce. 



I have still to refer to another observation throw- 

 ing light upon the mode of origin of what appeared 

 to be distinct, double-contoured, Fungus-cells, of a kind 

 concerning which we shall have more to say here- 

 after. These again seemed to originate from minute 

 particles, which, a short time previously, had not been 

 visible in the fluid. The observation now to be 

 recorded is interesting also in other respects, and is 

 sufficiently suggestive as to the possible influence of 

 electrical conditions in promoting evolutional, or de- 

 velopmental changes. 



Referring to notes made at the time, I extract the 

 following particulars: About eleven P.M. on the I4th 

 of June a small quantity of ordinary ammonic sesqui- 

 carbonate was dissolved in some apparently pure (though 

 not distilled) water, in a watch-glass. After solution, 

 and in about an hour's time, the fluid was carefully 

 examined with different microscopic powers, and lastly 



1 They are not to be obtained at will. I have met with them about 

 eight or nine times, but have very frequently failed to produce them. 

 I have, however, never found well marked specimens except in a solution 

 which contained ammonia and a phosphate. 



