19 8 LOSS OF VITAL PROPERTIES. 



than this. I am ignorant of the actual nature of the 

 changes which occur, but I believe the facts as I have 

 stated them are correct. I shall venture, in Part III, to 

 offer some hypothesis to explain the facts. 



If a portion of the living fungus be placed under certain 

 unfavourable conditions, its vital properties, that is, the 

 vital properties of its bioplasm, will be destroyed. The 

 transparent living matter in its interior will shrivel up and 

 die, but this will be attended by no obvious alteration in 

 the external membrane. The part which exhibits form and 

 structure (formed matter) remains ; that which is formless 

 and structureless (living matter] dies and is completely 

 changed, its property of growth is lost, and it is destroyed. 



