4 FUNGI. 
produced from a sugar solution by “spontaneous generation,” 
and without spore or germ of any kind. The theory is, that a 
molecular mass which is developed in certain solutions or infu- 
sions, may, under the influence of different circumstances, pro- 
duce cither animalcules or fungi. “In all these cases, no kind 
of animalcule or fungus is ever seen to originate from pre- 
existing cells or larger bodies, but always from molecules.” * 
The molecules are said to form small masses, which soon melt 
together to constitute a globular body, from which a process 
juts out on one side. These are the so-called Torule,t which 
give off buds which are soon transformed into jointed tubes 
of various diameters, terminating in rows of sporules, Penicil- 
lium, or capsules containing numerous globular seeds, Aspergil- 
lus (sic). 
This is but another mode of stating the same thing as above 
referred to by M. Trécul, that certain cells, resembling yeast cells 
(Zorula), are developed spontaneously, and that these ultimately 
pass through the form of mould called Penicillium to the more 
complex Mucor (which the writer evidently has confounded with 
Aspergillus, unless he alludes to the ascigerous form of Asper- 
gillus, long known as Eurotium). From what is now known 
of the polymorphism of fungi, there would be little difficulty 
in believing that cells resembling yeast cells would develop 
into Penicillium, as they do in fact in what is called the “ vine- 
gar plant,” and that the capsuliferous, or higher condition of 
this mould may be a Jfucor, in which the sporules are produced’ 
in capsules. The difficulty arises earlier, in the supposed spon- 
taneous origination of yeast cells from molecules, which result 
from the peculiar conditions of light, temperature, &c., in which 
certain solutions are placed. It would be impossible to review 
all the arguments, or tabulate all the experiments, which have 
been employed for and against this theory. It could not be 
passed over in silence, since it has been one of the stirring ques- 
tions of the day. The great problem how to exclude all germs 
* Dr. J. H. Bennett ‘‘ On the Molecular Origin of Infusoria,” p. 56. 
+ They have, however, no close relation with real Zorule, such as 7. moni 
lioides, &.—Cooxn’s Handbook, p. 477. 
