THE BEGINNINGS OF LIFE. 2*73 



particles. We also frequently see straight necklace-like 

 rows composed of from two to fifteen bead-shaped 

 bodies about the size of ordinary plastide-particles, 

 though having a more hollow appearance. These aggre- 

 gates are either motionless, or they exhibit a slow 

 vibratile movement 1 . Not unfrequently organisms 

 are met with which present an appearance somewhat 

 similar to that of the smaller vegetative cells of 

 the yeast-fungus commonly known by the name of 

 Torulg -, they are, however, more minute than these, and 

 seem rather solid than cellular presenting no evidences 

 of a nucleus. One spherule is frequently seen with a 

 much smaller bud-like particle attached, and they may 

 exhibit pretty active oscillations, though never move- 

 ments of a more extensive nature. In addition, there 

 are to be seen in fermenting fluids more than ordinarily 

 refractive particles, between which and minute though 

 obvious Fungus-spores or Torula cells all intermediate 

 forms can be detected. 



These are the simplest organisms most frequently met 



1 Such chaplet-like combinations are CQnsidered by Pasteur to be very 

 minute Torulacea, but I think they are more closely allied to Bacteria 

 than to Torula. They are almost invariably to be met with in urine in 

 company with other organisms when this is undergoing change. Indeed 

 Pasteur even says: ' Je suis tres port6 a croire que cette production con 

 stitue un ferment organise, et qu'il n'y a jamais transformation de 1'ur^e 

 en carbonate d'ammoniaque sans la presence et le developpement de ce 

 petit vegetal.' It develops in the body of the liquid and not specially at 

 the surface, where we frequently meet with a pellicle made up of bodies 

 of the kind next to be mentioned. Both these forms, however, may be 

 found in fluids which are altogether different in nature. 



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