134 THE BEGINNINGS OF II FE. 



of the early developmental forms which our new-born 

 specks of living matter have been found to assume; 

 and also seek to unravel the mutual relations that exist 

 between these several forms. 



Much doubt and uncertainty have always prevailed 

 in the minds of naturalists with reference to the nature 

 of BacterU^ and the degree and kind of relationship 

 which they present to the Mucedinea and other low 

 forms of Fungi, 



By some naturalists and pathologists, Bacteria and 

 Vibrlones are regarded as distinct and independent 

 species, having no developmental outcome in higher 

 forms, and no connection with the life-history of 

 Fungi. This was the old view, and strangely enough 

 such a notion has been advocated again, even quite 

 recently^ Others (not believing in the occurrence of 

 Archebiosis) who have traced some of the ultimate 

 developments of Bacteria^ are inclined to regard them 

 as necessary links or stages in the life-history of many 

 Fungi. Whilst a third party, accepting many of the 

 facts of development just alluded to, and believing that 

 some Bacteria and V'lhrlones do develop into Fungi, 

 maintain that these primary forms may arise de novOj 

 and that they are therefore not necessarily derived from 

 pre-existing Fungi. 



When we find Dr. Sanderson ^ adducing certain 



^ See Dr. Sanderson's memoir in ' Thirteenth Report of the Medical 

 Officer of the Privy Council/ pp. 48 and 68. 

 2 Loc. cit., p. 68. 



