THE BEGINNINGS OF LIFE. 177 



infinite in number, are only visible by the microscope. 

 All these bodies only come into existence by a spon- 

 taneous generation, and they fill the gap that nature has 

 left between the simple living organic molecule and the 

 animal or the vegetable. Also, there are to be found all 

 degrees, all imaginable shades, in this series — this chain, 

 which descends from the most highly-organized animal 

 to the simple organic molecule. Taken by itself, this 

 molecule is far enough removed from the nature of an 

 animal • taken in combination, these organic mole- 

 cules would be removed quite as much if they did not 

 appropriate inert particles, and if they did not dispose ^ 

 these after a certain fashion in accordance with the 

 intimate pattern of some animal or of some plant. And 

 as this form-arrangement ought to vary infinitely, in 

 consideration alike of the varying number and of the 

 different action of the organic molecules upon the inert 

 matter, there ought to result, and there do in fact 

 result, beings of all degrees of animality. And this 

 spontaneous generation (to which all these beings alike 

 owe their existence) comes into play, and reveals itself 

 whenever organized creatures undergo decomposition. 

 It comes into play universally after their death_, and 

 sometimes also during their life when there are certain 

 defects in the organization of the body, such as hinder 

 the inner mould [or plastic force] from absorbing and 



^ Previously, the very reverse of this was said. The mould or pattern 

 was the passive (?) power, in obedience to which the incorporeal ' mole- 

 cules organiques ' arranged themselves. 

 VOL. II. N 



