THE BEGINNINGS OF LIFE. 463 



strongly alkaline. On microscopical examination, the 

 deposit was found to be principally made up of mere 

 amorphous granules separate, as well as forming ag- 

 gregations of various sizes. Here and there, however, 

 there were granules, both separate and aggregated, of 

 a much less refractive character, and more closely re- 

 sembling organic particles. Short homogeneous fila- 

 ments, having all the appearance of Leptothrix^ were 

 seen to project from two or three of the granule heaps. 



FIG. 37. 



Bacteria, Lepfothrtx, and Spore-like bodies found in a Solution of 

 Ammonic Carbonate and Sodic Phosphate. ( X 800.) 



Several Bacteria^ some of medium size, and others some- 

 what large and unjointed, were observed, flitting across 

 the field of view with quite rapid undulating move- 

 ments, whilst others were seen rapidly rotating on 

 their long axis. There were also many figure- of- 8 

 shaped bodies which showed distinct and slightly pro- 

 gressive movements quite different from those which 

 are called c Brownian ' though many single particles 

 were seen which soon ceased to exhibit movements of 

 any kind. In addition, there were several spore-like 



