C0NTi;rBT"i'i0Ns TO ■rui-: cytology ov tiii; i;.\(Ti:j;ia. 491 



As Dr. Ruzicka has added no new facts i-es:ardino- the 

 method of spore-fornmtion in these alleged autogainic forms, 

 it is only his interpretation of the phenomena that I can 

 dispute. But as I have alread}^ given my arguments against 

 the view whicli he adopts, I can suffice with referring liim to 

 my second (1909) paper. 



One or two other points appear worthy of mention. Dr. 

 Ruzicka says (p. 443) — "Die Bakterien, bei Avelchen man 

 bislang geschlechtliche Vorgange festgestellt hat, waren als 

 zufallige Gaste oder Parasiten andrer Organismen vorge- 

 funden worden, ohne weiter und reingeziichtet worden zu 

 sein. Das hatte Skeptikern als Punktum fixuin dienen 

 konnen, um ilire Zweifel an der Reihenfolge der Phasen des 

 besprochenen Yorganges und an seiner Zugehorigkeit zu den 

 sexuellen Erscheinungen weiter zu spinnen." Now it may 

 be noted, in the first place, that B. sporonema is a free- 

 living form; and secondly, that phenomena continuously 

 observed in organisms in their natural environment are of 

 more, or at least equal, importance to those observed under 

 abnormal conditions, iu which many of the factors are 

 unknown. 



Dr. Ruzicka concludes his paper by stating (p. 458) that 

 the facts of the alleged " autogamic " process are in accord 

 with his interpretation of Bacteria as nuclei. It seems 

 scarcely necessary to point out that such an opinion could be 

 arrived at only by a complete confusion of ideas coupled with 

 a misuse of words. 



It seems to me unnecessary to discuss the speculative part 

 of Dr. Ruzicka's paper, since it is based — I believe — upon his 

 misinterpretation of the facts. Until it can be proven that 

 sexual phenomena occur, it is useless to construct further 

 speculations upon the mere assumption. And at present I 

 believe all the evidence speaks very definitely against the 

 view that a sexual process occurs at any stage in the life- 

 history of Bacteria. 



iMPEiiiAL College of Science and Technology, 

 London. October 5th, 1910. 



VOL. 56, PAKT 8. \EW SERIES. 84 



