208 THE FLOATING-MATTEK OF THE AIR. 



is but very feebly competent) to effect the transfer from 

 the germ state to that of the finished organism. It 

 can feed the chick, but it cannot hatch the egg. As I 

 have already expressed it, the experiment proves, not 

 the absence of Bacteria-gerras from the air, but the 

 inability of the mineral solution to develop them. 



Another experiment, described by Dr. Sanderson in 

 the paper above referred to, is this : — ' A glass rod was 

 charged with Bacteria by dipping it into a solution on 

 the surface of which there was a viscous scum, consist- 

 ing entirely of these bodies imbedded in a gelatinous 

 matrix. The rod was allowed to dry in the air for a 

 few days. It was then introduced into boiled test- 

 solution contained in a superheated glass. On February 

 6th the liquid was already milky, and teemed with 

 Bacteria. 



' To determine tlie effect of more complete desicca- 

 tion, an eprouvette containing one cubic centimeter of 

 cold water, previously ascertained to be zymotic, was 

 evaporated to dryness in the incubator, and kept for 

 some days at a temperature of 40° Cent. On February 

 20lh the dried glass was charged with boiled and 

 cooled solution, and plugged with cotton-wool in the 

 usual way. The liquid was examined microscopically 

 on March 2nd, when it contained numerous Torula- 

 cells, but no trace of Bacteria. It therefore appears 

 that the germinal particles of Bacteria are rendered 

 inactive by drying witliout the application of heat.' 



These experiments have been quoted as conclusive 

 in reference to the influence of desiccation. They are 

 quoted, moreover, as applicable not only to tlie de- 

 veloped Bacterium, but also, without restriction, to 

 the g(!rms from which Bacteria spring. 'To main- 

 tain,' says Dr. Bastian,' ' his Panspermism in the face 

 ' ' EvoluLion,' p. 15G. 



