THE BEGINNINGS OF LIFE. 137 



and the larger yi&rio-like forms which are frequently 

 met with in almost similar fluids. 



The opinion seems to be pretty common that Vibrimes 

 are higher organisms than Bacteria, and that Torul<e are 

 higher than either. Both these views, however, must 

 be received with certain qualifications. 



It is well known that the more slowly crystalline 

 matter separates from a solution, the smaller is the 

 number and the greater the size and perfection of the 

 crystals which appear. Mere amorphous granules are 

 deposited in many cases when the separation takes 

 place instantaneously. And, similarly, I have found 

 on several occasions that the most fermentable solu- 

 tions swarm rapidly with inconceivable numbers of 

 small Bacteria^ though if a drop of acetic acid has been 

 added to another portion of the same infusion, it does 

 not become turbid till many hours later, and the Bac- 

 teria which are present in the first scum may be much 

 larger and such as are generally termed Vibriones. In 

 other cases, highly fermentable fluids which have been 

 subjected to the influence of very high temperatures 

 (270 F and upwards) will, even when exposed to the 

 air, yield neither Bacteria nor Vibriones though Torulte 

 appear after a time, and multiply more slowly. 



Now with reference to such observations, the fol- 

 lowing considerations must be borne in mind. A 

 highly fermentable solution is in one respect exactly 

 comparable with a supersaturated saline solution. 

 Both contain chemical elements which have a strong 



