150 PARASITIC ANIMALS. 



creation we have to look to the poles, and the tops 

 of the Alpine mountains, where the geological 

 formation of ice and snow has already fairly begun. 

 The flora of these regions is as yet very poor, but 

 we have to consider that it is in an incipient state. 

 On the Alps grow two species, the red snow,* and 

 a very curious production, which M. Hugi found 

 only on the glacier of Unteraar, bat which is said 

 also to occur on that of Chamouni. To the snow 

 flora of the poles, consisting likewise of the red 

 snow, the expedition of the Recherche to Spitz- 

 bergen has lately added a second species of red 

 snow, and a delicate green flabelliform plant, two 

 inches in height. 



" Now we have only to notice the peculiar cir- 

 cumstances under which these plants are found, in 

 order to be convinced that they are the specific and 

 spontaneous productions of a soil that is neither 

 land nor sea, and to render it probable that from 

 every new and well -established stratum there will 

 spring a new creation at any time." So that 

 because a living or organized structure appears in 

 an unaccountable place, it must, therefore, be of 

 spontaneous generation ! Now, let us see what 

 spontaneous generation involves. It supposes inert 

 matter capable of endowing itself with life, or of 

 becoming necessarily vitalized under certain con- 

 ditions ; next, it involves design in the form to be 

 assumed, choice as to what organs shall develop 

 * Protococcus, or Palmella nivalis. 



