1872.] Biological Notes. . 135 
having no pronounced inner limitation. The viscid mass consists of, 
or rather yields,since the state of combination of the components is not 
known, a variety of albuminoid and other bodies, the most easily separable of 
which is hemoglobin; secondly, the matter which segregates to form Roberts's 
macula; and thirdly, a residuary stroma, apparently homogeneous in the 
Mammalia (excepting so far as the outer surface or pellicle may be of a 
different chemical nature), but containing in the other vertebrata a sharply 
definable nucleus, this nucleus being already differentiated, but not sharply 
delineated during life, and consisting of (or separable into) at least two com- 
ponents, one (paraglobulin) precipitable by CO2, and removable by the action of 
weak NH3; the other pellucid and not granulated by acids. The chemical 
differentiation of the outer pellicle is rendered probable by the behaviour of the 
corpuscles under weak NH3, which appears to dissolve this pellicle, and so 
loose the viscid matter from that which restrained it to its oval shape; also 
from the inability of CO, to act on the corpuscle until it has been subje@ed to 
the influence of aqueous vapour, which may be supposed to remove or render 
permeable this pellicle; also from the action of chloroform, oil, and cyanogen, 
which cause the discharge or diffusion of the hemoglobin from the corpuscle, 
perhaps by first removing or rendering permeable—at any rate modifying—this 
outer pellicle. Steam, chloroform, benzine, bisulphide of carbon, ammonia, 
and cyanogen, act on the red blood-corpuscle so as to cause the escape of the 
hemoglobin. The further action of these reagents causes the elimination of 
what may be called Roberts’s constituent, that which is stained by magenta 
and set by tannin. A still further action of chloroform, of water, or of 
ammonia, dissolves first the stroma, lastly the nucleus. The details of these 
actions are given in the paper. Carbonic oxide and sulphuretted hydrogen 
produce their respective changes on the hemoglobin, as demonstrated speétro- 
scopically, without altering the form of the corpuscle, merely effecting the 
radiation of its body. 
In the same number of that journal Dr. Sanderson has discussed the ques- 
tion of the supposed “ spontaneous generation of badteria in certain solutions,” 
which attracted attention in France, and more recently, owing to Dr. Bastian’s 
statements, in this country. Dr. Sanderson shows, First,—That neither 
bacteria nor fungi ever develope in solutions raised to the boiling-point and 
placed in carefully cleansed and boiled vessels, which are subsequently 
closed. Secondly—That if such solutions in such flasks be exposed to 
atmospheric air, no bacteria ever develope, but yeast-cells and ultimately blue 
mould do develope (whence it is inferred that the germs of fungi but not of 
bacteria are carried in the air). Thirdly—That if unboiled water be used, 
or glass or other surface not duly cleansed be brought into contaé with the 
above-mentioned solutions, bacteria always develope in great quantity (whence 
it is inferred that water, and surfaces which have been or are more or less 
damp, are the means of dissemination of baéteria). 
Dead or Alive —A new and very simple method of distinguishing between 
real and apparent death has been recently discovered by M. Laborde. When 
a sharp steel needle (not cased only with steel) is driven into the tissues of a 
living man or animal, in a short time it loses its metallic lustre and becomes 
dim, or in scientific language—is oxidised ; while a similar needle may remain 
for an hour or more in the tissues of a dead subje@ without undergoing any 
apparent change. Hence the oxidation or non-oxidation of the needle affords 
a decisive proof whether death is real or only apparent. 
