144 
Mr. FALKE replied to some of Dr. Endemann’s statements, 
and then,— 
Pror. B. N. Martin stated that the experiments of 
Wyman showed conclusively that if the solutions experi- 
mented upon were boiled long enough, no living organisms 
could subsequently be detected. Prof: Wyman introduced a 
prepared solution containing organic matter into a series of 
small tubes, which were then closed and boiled for some 
time; but after a few days life was found in them all. 
When, however, similarly prepared tubes had been boiled 
for an hour, the number in which life afterwards appeared 
was much less. Every additional hour’s boiling still further 
reduced the proportion ; till of a set of twenty, boiled for five 
hours, not one showed signs of life The weak point in 
Bastian’s experiments is his assumption that simple boiling 
will inevitably destroy life. The attestation which two of his 
friends recently published in “ Nature,” of the correctness of 
his statements, affirmed that the boiling was continued for 
ten minutes. This, however, was not sufficient. The life of 
the germs undoubtedly survived this brief exposure to heat. 
The subject was further debated for some time, by PRor. 
SEELEY, Mr. FALKE, and Pror. WuRTZ. 
Dr. H. C. Boiron brought forward the proposal that had 
appeared in the American Chemist for April, looking to a 
celebration of the first century of modern chemistry, dating 
from the discoveries of Priestley and Scheele in 1774. He said 
that the suggestion had already called forth many letters 
from chemists in various parts of the country, expressing inter- 
est and approval. From several of these letters he read por- 
tions; and in particular from that of Miss Rachel L. Bodley, 
Professor of Chemistry in the Woman’s Medical College of 
Pennsylvania, who suggested that the most appropriate spot 
for the proposed re-union would doubtless be the village of 
Northumberland, Penn., where Dr. Priestley spent the later 
years of his life, and where he now lies buried. 
