xxiv THE BEGINNINGS OF LIFE. 



batch of recently prepared crystals no such organisms were 

 to be found, whilst in many other crystals belonging to the 

 same batch, after an interval of weeks or months, the spores 

 and filaments were to be discovered. Certain of the crystals 

 of the batch prepared for me by Messrs. Hopkin and 

 Williams, when examined two days after preparation, were 

 found to contain scarcely a trace of air within. But after an 

 interval of three weeks, through which they had been kept 

 during the day-time at a temperature of about 80 Fahr., 

 certain other of these crystals, when dissolved, gave exit to a 

 notable quantity of air bubbles. Two weeks afterwards three 

 other specimens from the recent batch of crystals were 

 examined. The quantity of gaseous bubbles which escaped 

 from them seemed almost equal to those which had been set 

 free from the older crystals. One or two small fragments of 

 cotton also emerged, and in addition several very small 

 masses of a transparent mucoid material, containing refrac- 

 tive protein-looking granules of various sizes and shapes. 

 These were almost precisely similar to masses which had 

 been met with in the older crystal. Here and there an early 

 stage (short portion) of a filament was seen amongst the 

 granules, though none of them were sufficiently long to make 

 me certain as to their nature and affinities. Although nothing 

 else was found, the increased quantity of gas and the occur- 

 rence of the very small masses of mucoid material seemed to 

 represent a stage in advance of that which was met with at the 

 last examination. They seemed to show pretty clearly that a 

 change of some kind had been taking place in the material of 

 the crystal, which had led to the liberation of some of its 

 constituents in a gaseous condition, and also, perhaps, to a 

 liberation of some of its water of crystallization. Whilst 

 this had been taking place, its other elements may have been 

 grouping themselves anew, and giving rise to fresh products. 

 I have lately, through the kindness of Mr. Martindale, of 



