BIOPLASM. 





of the branches of microscopic fungus figured. Here 

 it has imbibed much of the carmine employed to stain 

 it, and thus render it distinct, and is coloured with the 

 greatest intensity. The formed material in this 

 situation is thinner than elsewhere, sufficient time not 

 having yet elapsed for it to become of the ordinary 

 thickness which it exhibits in that part of the branch 

 which is fully formed. The formed material is thick- 

 ened by deposition, layer within layer, in the manner 

 shown in Fig. 9 a, and as will be again referred to 

 further on. (See page 16.) 



In order to form a general notion of the nature and 

 properties of living germs which consist partly or en- 

 tirely of Bioplasm, it will be necessary to consider care- 

 fully what takes place when a very simple organism 

 grows. I propose, therefore, in the first place to discuss 

 the question of the formation of the yeast fungus or 

 yeast cell. The organism is so common that any one 

 can easily obtain it and study for himself the pheno- 

 mena which will be referred to. This will form a good 

 introduction to the consideration of the vegetable germ 

 theory of disease, which will clear the way and prepare 

 us for the full consideration of the highly interesting 

 but complex question of the nature and origin of the 

 contagium, or virus, of contagious or self-propagating 

 diseases. 



