ORIGIN' OF GERMS. 



37 



which may be assumed by one species, and which 

 seem to be determined rather by varying external 

 conditions and food than to be due to inherent specific 

 powers. These questions are interesting and important 

 enough, but I must now pass on to consider several 

 points more intimately connected with the question 

 concerning the origin of vegetable germs, and their 

 supposed influence in causing disease. 



Of the Origin of Vegetable Germs. Several scientific 

 authorities of high repute have of late summed up 

 very distinctly in favour of the doctrine of the forma- 

 tion of living beings directly out of lifeless matter, 

 without the instrumentality of pre-existing living 

 matter. On the other hand, there are men well 

 qualified to form an opinion who consider that the 

 advanced minds of the present day have been led to 

 strain facts more than was right, in order to make it 

 appear that spontaneous generation, as well as some 

 other doctrines correlated to this, ought to be ac- 

 cepted. The so-called " tendency of thought " has 

 been adduced in favour of these views ; writers of 

 advanced articles in our magazines, distinguished for 

 the brilliancy of their speculations, have written up 

 the doctrine ; and there is reason to think that no 

 inconsiderable number of readers is desirous of being 

 told, and is really anxious to believe, that living 

 things may come direct from lifeless matter, and that 

 force may build up structures and form organs with- 

 out the assistance of intelligence, or the. intervention 



