316 Mr. Coleman and Prof. McKendricJc on Cold, &c. [May 29, 



moist ozone, peroxide of hydrogen, and by sunlight or diffused 

 daylight.* 



There can be no doubt about disease germs being pestiferous, but 

 it is quite possible the function of many microphytes is beneficent, 

 preventing the undue accumulation of dead organic matter, though it 

 is not quite clear that they are absolutely essential as a preliminary 

 to its oxidation, and on this and kindred subjects there is much work 

 yet to be done by the united labour of the physicist, chemist, and 

 physiologist. 



[J. J. C] 



* ' Researches on the Effect of Light upon Bacteria and other Organisms,' by 

 Arthur Downes, M.D., and J. P. Blunt, M.A., Proc. Roy. Soc. xxvi. 1877. 



