00 ox ri'TREFACTIVE OKGAXISMS. 



to Split i\p and break down the organic tissues. This first 

 organism, Bacterium Termo, would produce profound changes 

 in the putrelying tissues, and prepare the way for other 

 organisms. It would be seen that this organism would be 

 densest round the mass that was being broken up, forming 

 a felt-like covering or garment to it ; soon a new organism 

 of a spiral form would make its appearance (this was shown 

 on the screen), while Bacterium Termo would become less 

 abundant, and be diffused over the entire fluid. The new 

 one, like Bacterium Termo, A\ould be densest next to the 

 putrid matter, and would form a covering to it. The decay- 

 ing tissue would now rapidly change, and would give off 

 noxious gases. This form would continue for an indefinite 

 time, and be succeeded by one or two new forms. i^These 

 Avere shown on the screen.) One of these new forms would 

 have a single fiagellum, and the other would have two ; and 

 they would move rapidly about and glide continuously over 

 the decomposing matter. They increased very rapidly, one 

 method of increase being by a process of division. In 

 another method two bodies would unite together, and an 

 amoeboid condition ending in the fusion of two forms re- 

 sulting in a sac from whence spore was produced, giving rise 

 to new generations. Their rate of increase was inconceiv- 

 ably rapid, and it was not surprising that the putrid tissue 

 was surrounded b}* a garment of these organisms. They 

 had in all probability their food and suitable conditions for 

 their life produced by the fmictions of theii' predecessors. 

 Then a time came when this form died out, and a very 

 remarkable organism appeared which also invested the 

 putrid matter with a garment oi living organisms ; they 

 stuck to the mass and waved to and fro. These were shown 

 on the screen as they would be seen in the microscope, clus- 

 teriuir roimd the matter. "With this was shown the next 



