12 



THE BEGINNINGS OF LIFE. 



3 



respective conditions^ we are enabled to eliminate 



i 



many of the explanations of M. Pasteur and others^ 

 whilst at the same time facts are revealed of the most 

 decisive nature^ bearing upon the relative merits of the 

 two doctrines as to the cause of fermentation and 

 putrefaction ^ 



Such experiments show quite conclusively that M. 

 Pasteur's explanations are altogether inadequate to 

 account for the occasional preservation of boiled fluids 

 in bent-neck flasks. The preservation^ far from being 



* Appendix C is a record of experiments of this kind. 



f0 



I 



such fermentative changes as are accompanied by the 

 de novo origination of living things. The above-men- 

 tioned apparently exceptional results are, therefore 

 just as compatible with the notions of M. Liebig and 

 his school^ as they are antagonistic to those of M. Pas. 

 teur. Certain simpler fluids do not undergo chanoe 

 whilst others of a more complex description^ under the 

 influence of similar conditions^ do ferment. 



The complete untenability of M. Pasteur's explana- 

 tions are^ however^ best revealed by having recourse to 

 a series of comparative experiments^ in which portions 

 of the same fluid are boiled for an equal length of time 

 in vessels of diflFerent kinds, and are subsequently sub- 

 mitted, in a water-bath^ to the influence of the same 

 temperature. Owing to the different behaviour of the 

 same fluids under different conditions^ we are enabled 

 to draw some very important conclusions j but from I It ist be rcmemb 

 the different behaviour of different fluids under these I fetfs investif^atic 



to^ay, it is tnie, 



contact with ] 

 DOtondergo chan| 



liO 



from the 



ikies of organic 



contains 



) 



'Her it is 



took plac( 



matter, 

 only, 

 supposes. 



