Vv. ORIGIN GF MOULD, 214 
Greater. ‘Therefore, it is not abfurd to fuppofe 
that feeds, which refift the injuries of weather, 
may preferve fecundity for ages. ‘Thus we can 
eafily comprehend how immenfe the abundance 
of this vegetable fhould be, fince its feed multi- 
plies fo much, is preferved fo long, and that it 
fhould be fo copioufly diffeminated over all terref. 
trial fubftances, as continually to be in readinefs 
for germination, when the requifites eflential are 
prefent. 
The firft of Sig. Monti’s doubts concerning the 
production of mould, which led him to think that 
it originated by fpontaneous generation, is refoly- 
ed. The other doubt which arofe from mould- 
ing fubf{tances acquiring mould after boiling, the 
fame as before it, is equally removed ; for if the 
feed does not lofe its germinating faculty from 
expofure in a hot chafing difh, there is no won- 
der that it is retained at a degree of heat fo far in- 
ferior as that of boiling water. 
Although the fubftances for my experiments 
were conftantly kept under receivers, which was 
done with the view of obtaining more luxuriant 
and beautiful mould, communication with the ex. 
ternal air was uninterrupted. I wifhed to difcover 
what would fucceed on cutting off this communica- 
tion, but previous to that the confequence of leffen. 
ing it. Moulding fubitances were put into very 
large glafs veffels : the necks were then drawn to 
@ point by the blow-pipe; and as the point could 
O2 be 
