n 



362 



THE BEGINNINGS OF LIFE. 



experiments can be easily repeated by any one who is 

 desirous of seeing such results for himself. 



In the next series of experiments, ammoniacal and 

 other saline solutions have been employed. At present, 

 we have to do with these simply as acid solutions in 

 which living organisms have been procured. The pre- 

 sence of living organisms in such solutions, after ebulh- 

 tion and other proper precautions, being, in accordance 

 with the admissions of M. Pasteur, only compatible 

 with the de novo origination of those which first 

 appear. 



I was induced to em^ploy saline solutions for various 

 reasons. In the first place, after having read M. Pas- 

 teur's statements, concerning the growth and develop- 

 ment of Fungi which had h^Qn placed in saline solutions^, 

 it occurred to me that it would be a subject of much 

 interest to determine whether any evidence could be 

 obtained, tending to show that organisms might even be 

 evolved de novo in certain fluids of a similar character. 

 This, in fact, seemed to be a problem of very great im- 

 portance ; for, if otherwise suitable, the employment of 

 such saline solutions would be attended by certain 

 advantages. It appeared likely that the saline mate- 

 rials in solution would be far less injured by the 

 high temperature of aia^'F than organic substances. 

 We should thus^ also, best prepare ourselves to be 

 brought face to face with the problem — Whether the 

 pre-existence of organic matter, which has been elabo- 



^ Loc. cit., p. 100. 





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