4 FUNGI. 



produced from a sugar solution by " spontaneous generation,* 1 

 and without spore or germ of any kind. The theory is, that a 

 molecular mass which is developed in certain solutions or infu- 

 sions, may, under the influence of different circumstances, pro- 

 duce either animalcules or fungi. " In all these cases, no kind 

 of animalcule or fungus is ever seen to originate from pre- 

 existing cells or larger bodies, but always from molecules."* 

 The molecules are said to form small masses, which soon melt 

 together to constitute a globular body, from which a process 

 juts out on one side. These are the so-called Torulte, t which 

 give off buds which are soon transformed into jointed tubes 

 of various diameters, terminating in rows of sporules, Penicil- 

 lium, or capsules containing numerous globular seeds, Aspergil- 

 lus (sic). 



This is but another mode of stating the same thing as above 

 referred to by M. Trecul, that certain cells, resembling yeast cells 

 (TorwZtf), are developed spontaneously, and that these ultimately 

 pass through the form of mould called Penicillium to the more 

 complex Mucor (which the writer evidently has confounded with 

 Aspergillus, unless he alludes to the ascigerous form of Asper- 

 gillus, long known as Eurotium^). From what is now known 

 of the polymorphism of fungi, there would be little difficulty 

 in believing that cells resembling yeast cells would develop 

 into Penicillium^ as they do \nfact in what is called the "vine- 

 gar plant," and that the capsulifcrous, or higher condition of 

 this mould may be a Mucor, in which the sporules are produced 

 in capsules. The difficulty arises earlier, in the supposed spon- 

 taneous origination of yeast cells from molecules, which result 

 from the peculiar conditions of light, temperature, &c., in which 

 certain solutions are placed. It would be impossible to review 

 all the arguments, or tabulate all the experiments, which have 

 been employed for and against this theory. It could not be 

 passed over in silence, since it has been one of the stirring ques- 

 tions of the day. The great problem how to exclude all germs 



* Dr. J. H. Bennett " On the Molecular Origin of Infusoria," p. 56. 

 f They have, however, no close relation with real Torulce, such as T. moni- 

 lioides, &c. COOKE'S Handbook, p. 477. 



