8 Transactions of the ^'^.'^..^rS"' 



examined under the microscope, tube-like protuberances were found 

 to have been formed from the larger masses, and these had a move- 

 ment like that of the tubes of the coal infusion. But this is not all. 

 The particles generally presented the appearance of having a gela- 

 tinous coating, and in the course of several weeks they showed a 

 tendency to become agglomerated, the mass having small bud-like 

 projections at various points, the extremities of which are occasion- 

 ally seen to move. These projections after a time become larger 

 and irregular in form, and their movement is then much more per- 

 ceptible. In fact, at the present moment the chalk of that infusion 

 is, so far as I can judge, in a state of perfect vitality. It is evident 

 from mere inspection with the unassisted eye that a change has 

 taken place in the chalk, as what was at first a fine powder is now 

 coarsely grained owing to the agglomeration of the particles and the 

 elaboration, doubtless, of fresh cretaceous matter by its busy in- 

 habitants. Independently, however, of this, there is other evidence 

 of hfe. This evidence is furnished by the numerous small detached 

 organisms which move freely through the fluid, and by the existence 

 of very small white bodies, which can be seen rushing about over 

 the microscopic field, especially after the shp has remained moist for 

 twenty-four hours. A more curious proof, however, is found in the 

 presence of what I can only suppose is a vegetable growth. This 

 vegetation is in the form of long, flat, semi-translucent fibres, not 

 unlike the grey fibres of the coal, but, judging from the shading, 

 having sometimes a slight tendency to the spiral fonn. There does 

 not appear to be any development of " foliage," but at various points 

 there are chalky accretions, and occasionally the fibre is covered with 

 these throughout its entire length. 



If the recovery of organic life from chalk be strange, such a 

 result in relation to marble must, considering the greater density of 

 this mineral, be far stranger. When a small piece of this mineral is 

 finely powdered, it appears to consist of crystals, with numerous 

 minute particles in active movement. When, however, the marble 

 has remained infused for some weeks, many of the crystals have the 

 appearance of being covered with a gelatinous substance, from which 

 various small " buds " have been produced. Some of these buds are 

 longer than others, and move to and fro like the tubes in the coal 

 infusioi}. Ultimately, however, there is so great a development of 

 the coating substance as often to quite conceal the form of the 

 crystal, accompanied by that of numerous small bodies of various 

 sizes, some of which have much the appearance of the " buds" at 

 first observed. These are evidently of the same character as similar 

 bodies found in the chalk, and they sometimes form irregular moving 

 projections such as those referred to as being produced m tlie chalk 

 infusion. Other larger formations resemble the " finger " shaped 

 organisms I shall have again to mention ui connection with an 



