W. H. Brewer on Life in Hot and Saline waters. 391 
, In view of these facts, that from life has come the new life, 
and from the high only ‘the extr emely low, the assumption, cited 
above, which makes the second grand conclusion of Prof. Clark, 
“that still higher forms could therefore arise from these,” is cer- 
tainly without even the shadow of a foundation. Such sponta- 
neous generation does not begin to climb the hill of life; it looks 
downward and not upward. 
The best statement which we have seen of the relation of the 
generated organism—supposing it a real —- without germs 
—to the original organic matter, is that made by the chemist 
Fremy to the French Academy, and which we setts reproduced 
(translated from - French) into this Journal, in vol. xxxviii, 
at page 439 (Nov., 
ut the absence a germs Prams ee — _ far 
from being proved, as admits e high temperature 
used in the course of the a on spontaneous pasntien 
is sufficient, it is true, to destroy the life of ordinary plants or 
animals, but it does not decompose the vegetable or animal 
material siiployed im she: trials. And, considering the low order 
of the organisms that are developed, it cannot be se: that 
heat which this material stands will destroy their ger 
The following observations, communicated to ie writat by 
Prof. W. H. Brewer, the Botanist of the Survey of California, a 
well as Assistant in the Geological department, show that pla 
of low grade may thrive in waters very near if not at the esis 
ing point, and even when strongly acid or saline. 
Observations by Prof. W. H. Brewer on the presence of living 
pecies in hot and saline waters in Pe jengee 
consist of numerous steam vents, and hot = ings, of various 
temperatures, the hottest observed being 97° C. ( 
The i aeveeni of the steam in the larger vents was not ob- 
from oonsiclirabla pressure. The waters contain a variety of 
salts in solution, apparently mostly the sulphates of iron and 
se warm mineral wa ts low forms of vegetation occur. 
he temperatures were ca refally observed in many cases. The 
histaes temperature er in which the plants were mesa 
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