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lion, does not apply to the general form of decomposition occurring in fruit, principally 

 from the circumstance of its attacking it in a highly vital condition, when it could not 

 be supposed to he the subject of any spontaneous or chemical decomposition: and also 

 to that of Dr. Lankester, expressed at a former meeting, that Liebig's views did not 

 afford a sufficient explanation of every example of decay occurring in fruit, as he con- 

 sidered that an apple, once removed from the tree, was no longer in a vital state, but 

 that it immediately became a prey to a species of fermentation. He then proceeded 

 to express his doubts as to the accuracy of the last supposition, inasmuch as it is pos- 

 sible to preserve fruit, free from all visible deterioration, for many months after its re- 

 moval from the tree. Still, admitting both these and Liebig's views to be correct, they 

 do not, in his opinion, explain the reason why decay commences in a spot gradually 

 extending itself over the surface of the fruit, and does not at once involve its entire 

 substance and fabric. He therefore proceeded to show that these phenomena were to 

 be referred to the operation of entophytal Fungi for a satisfactory solution, still admit- 

 ting the existence of a second form of decomposition in fruit, this being comparatively 

 of rare occurrence, and which appears to be the result of chemical affinities, in conse- 

 quence of the fruit having ceased to exist, and to which the views of Liebig may in 

 some cases, perhaps with propriety, be applied. He also stated that since the former 

 meeting of the society he had repeated the experiment of inoculating fruit with the 

 sporules of the Fungi, with the same success which attended the former trial, but that 

 he had failed in inducing decay in sound fruit by the introduction of decayed matter 

 destitute of Fungi in any state ; still, however, he considered this might ensue in some 

 cases in which the vitality of the fruit was either totally destroyed, or, at all events, 

 much enfeebled; and even if an invariable consequence, still it would not in any way 

 affect the statement made relative to the independent power possessed by Fungi in 

 originating decay ; and again, if these were proved not to do this, they would still be 

 of as much importance in a practical point of view as ever; since, when inserted into 

 fruit which is undergoing spontaneous decay, they produce marked and rapid effects, 

 and speedily ensure its complete destruction. In conclusion, he stated that the apples 

 employed in the experiments were of an exceedingly firm description, and that an 

 equal number of each were inoculated with the sporules and with decayed matter. 



Dr. Edward Jenner having again forwarded to the society some beautiful specimens 

 of Fragilaria pectinalis and Diatoma flocculosum, and having had his attention di- 

 rected to a report of the Proceedings of the Society, in which it was said that the spe- 

 cimens before sent were animalcules; — forwarded a paper in reply, wherein he states 

 that the objects sent are considered by botanists to belong to Algae. By Ehrenberg 

 they are classed with his Infusoria and thought to be animalcules, as he supposes they 

 increase by self-division ; but this last fact is not sufficient to remove them from the 

 vegetable kingdom, since many plants, such as the lily, crocus, &c., also increase their 

 species by self-division. Three other genera, Achnanlhes, Gomphonema and Cocco- 

 nema, which are at present classed by botanists with plants, the author considers to be 

 of a doubtful nature, thinking they may possibly be found to be Zoophytes. He also 

 stated that the stomic cells mentioned by Ehrenberg, were the endochrome or colour- 

 ing matter of the botanist, which, when ripened into sporidia, escapes through an open- 

 ing in the frustule, being one of the methods by which the species are increased. The 

 author also expressed his persuasion, that in the present imperfect state of our know- 

 ledge of these objects, great caution ought to be used in advancing any opinio nrespect- 

 ina them. — /. W. 



