THE BEGINNINGS OF LIFE. 459 



a distinct vacuole in the midst of the granular contents 

 of the cell, and a rapidly-moving flagellum. 



Experiment t. An infusion of hay. When taken 

 from the digester there was a considerable quantity of 

 brownish-black, charred, organic matter at the bottom 

 of the flask, though the fluid itself was clear and of a 

 dark sherry colour. 



The flask was opened on the fourteenth day; and for 

 six or seven days previously a slight scum had been 

 seen covering part of the surface of the fluid, the solu- 

 tion itself remaining clear. The fluid was found to be 

 quite strongly acid, whilst its odour was sour and not at 

 all hay-like. The scum was found to be composed of 

 mere charred granules and globules, and no trace of 

 organisms could be found either in the fluid or amongst 

 the deposit *. 



Experiment u. A solution containing fifteen grains of 

 ammonic carbonate, and five grains of sodic phosphate, 

 in one ounce of distilled water. 



When taken from the digester the glass of the tube 

 was found to be considerably corroded, and there was 



1 This infusion had been evidently wholly altered in quality by the 

 high temperature to which it had been exposed ; and from the fact that 

 it was left in an open flask for more than a week, and was still found to 

 be free from any trace of living things, its original sterility cannot be 

 wondered at. It is easy enough to believe that the different organic 

 compounds existing in different infusions would be differently capable of 

 resisting the destructive influence of heat ; so that some infusions may 

 be much more favourable than others for experiments in which high 

 temperatures are resorted to. 



