34 . MOST MINUTE GERMS.- 



division (see Fig. 20, plate III.). Some are, however, 

 much more elongated than others. Compare Figs. 

 15, 16, 21, plate JIT., with Figs. I, 2, 3, 4, plate I. ; 

 but whether these represent different species, or are' 

 merely variations due to the circumstances under 

 which they have been developed, is not known. Some- 

 times a very elongated form is found amongst nu- 

 merous short ones, Plate II., fig. 13. 



The general appearance of minute germs of fungi 

 multiplying rapidly in fluid favourable to their de- 

 velopment, is represented in Plate L, fig. I, under a 

 power magnifying only 200 diameters. The most 

 minute germs (bacteria) visible under the higher powers 

 are seen in Figs. 2, 3, and 4, which are magnified 

 respectively 1,800, 3,000, and 5,000 diameters linear. 

 In Fig. 5 the appearance of very minute particles of 

 bioplasm, which have been well stained with carmine 

 and examined under the -J^-, which magnifies 2,800 

 diameters, is represented. 



Some notion of the manner in which the most 

 minute germs multiply, may be formed if Figs. 13 and 

 14, plate II., opp. p. 20, be carefully examined. 

 Whether there is any actual firm membrane around 

 the minute particles of bioplasm represented in Fig. 

 14 is very doubtful. It is more probable that each 

 little particle of bioplasm is embedded in a soft and 

 semi-fluid formed material which has been produced 

 by it. This, under certain circumstances, may be- 

 come condensed, and thus an envelope or protecting 



