GEOLOGY. 719 



the Racodium cellare, which has never been found except 

 on the casks in our cellars. Where did the germs dAvell 

 before these were invented, during the long ages when our 

 forefathers only employed amphoric? 



Berard, a physiologist of the faculty of medicine, even 

 speaks of a plant which only lives on the drops of tallow 



321. Spontaneously formed Microscopic Grains which are found in Fermentations— CV^asto- 



coccds cerevisice (Auct.) 



which the miners in working let fall upon the soil. Were 

 the seeds of this singular species produced then at creation, 

 in anticipation that mines would be worked by the aid of 

 our common means of lighting? 



Lastly, do not all botanists know that every sick or 

 dying plant is certain to be attacked by its special parasite? 

 There is no explaining the introduction of the seedlets of 

 this fatal guest, and we may say that there are as many 

 varieties as there are si^ecies of plants. Who then could 

 dare to maintain that the air suffices to furnish so many 

 destructive germs? 



Keason revolts before so daring a supposition. In fact, 

 if panspermism were anything but a fiction, the atmos- 

 phere ought to be so obstructed with eggs and seeds, that 

 all movement and respiration Avould become impossible, 

 and we should perish by suffocation. 



Microscopy has by one single word for ever overturned 

 this strange hypothesis. It says, " These eggs and these 

 seeds are tangible things : one can generally feel and see 



