160 THE EVOLUTION OF LIFE 
Theory of Fermentation’ or ‘ Spontaneous Genera- 
tion,’ then I must respectfully decline to take part 
in this wider inquiry. . . . I desire, therefore, to 
obtain the assurance of the Commission that no new 
experiments shall be demanded from either of us, 
except with the full concurrence of M. Pasteur and 
myself.” After some delay, I was informed by M. 
Dumas that the Commission also desired, “if 
possible, only to occupy itself with the experiments 
of M. Pasteur and myself on the subject of urine 
treated with potash ; and that I had no reason to fear 
the necessity of a long stay in Paris.” 
In reply to this I wrote again on July 6 to M. 
Dumas acknowledging the receipt of his letter (on 
June 29), but saying: ‘I do not find in it any distinct 
acceptance of the conditions mentioned in my letter 
of May 24, as those upon which alone I should be 
prepared to repeat my experiments before the Com- 
mission, viz.: (1) the limitation of the report to the 
question of fact mentioned, and (2) the assurance 
that no new experiments shall be demanded from 
either of us except with the full concurrence of both 
M. Pasteur and myself.” On the receipt of a 
favourable reply I promised to bein Paris on the morn- 
ing of Saturday, the 14th inst. In answer to this M. 
Dumas wrote on the 12th as follows: “ La Com- 
mission de Académie des Sciences sera deés le 15 
a votre disposition. . . Elle est préte 4 vous entendre ; 
mais elle desire, comme vous, que son examen soit 
borné au point en discussion entre vous et M. 
Pasteur. Ce serait seulement au cas ou vous 
\ 
destreriez aller plus loom quelle aurait a examiner, 
