168 THE DESTRUCTIVE INFLUENCE OF 
and polype, are all composed of structural units of 
the same character, namely, masses of protoplasm 
with a nucleus . . . . What has been said of the 
animal world is no less true of plants. . . . Proto- 
plasm simple or nucleated is the formal basis of all 
life. . . . Thus it becomes clear that all living 
powers are cognate, and all living forms are funda- 
mentally of one character.” 
‘Before the breath of controversy had arisen Pro- 
fessor Huxley was, moreover, inclined to believe that 
this protoplasm or primitive life-stuff would display a 
comparatively uniform behaviour under the influence 
of heat. Thus in the essay from which I have just 
quoted, he says, it cannot “be affirmed with perfect 
confidence that all forms of protoplasm are liable to 
undergo that peculiar coagulation at a temperature 
of 40°—50° Centigrade which has been called ‘heat- 
stiffening, though Kihne’s beautiful researches have 
proved this occurrence to take place in so many and 
such diverse living beings, that it is hardly rash to 
expect that the law holds good for all.” 
(4.) I now turn to say a very few words concerning 
the general attitude and specific statements made by 
those who, still wishing not to give in their adherence 
to the fact of the occurrence of ‘spontaneous gene- 
ration,’ affect to believe that Bacteria germs or other 
