1873.] Mr. R. H. M. Bosanquet on Just Intonation in Music. 131 



place them beneath the same bell-jar, it will be found that the first fluid 

 remains clear and free from Bacteria for an indefinite period, whilst the 

 second invariably becomes turbid in one or two days. 



"What is the explanation of these discordant results ? We have a right 

 to infer that all preexisting life has been destroyed in each of the fluids * ; 

 we have proved also that such fluids are not usually infected by Bacteria 

 derived from the air ; in this very case, in fact, the putrescible saline 

 fluid remains pure, although the organic infusion standing by its side 

 rapidly putrifies. We can only infer, therefore, that whilst the boiled 

 saline solution is quite incapable of engendering Bacteria f , such organisms 

 are able to arise de novo in the boiled organic infusion. 



Although this inference may be legitimately drawn from such experi- 

 ments as I have here referred to, fortunately it is confirmed and strength- 

 ened by the labours of many investigators who have worked under the 

 influence of much more stringent conditions, and in which closed vessels 

 of various kinds have been employed %. 



Whilst we may therefore infer (1) that the putrefaction which occurs 

 in many previously boiled fluids when exposed to the air is not due to a 

 contamination by germs derived from the atmosphere, we have also the 

 same right to conclude (2) that in many cases the first organisms which 

 appear in such fluids have arisen de novo, rather than by any process of 

 reproduction from preexisting forms of life. 



Admitting, therefore, that Bacteria are ferments capable of initiating 

 putrefactive changes, I am a firm believer also in the existence of not- 

 living ferments under the influence of which putrefactive changes may be 

 initiated in certain fluids — changes which are almost invariably accom- 

 panied by a new birth of living particles capable of rapidly developing 

 into Bacteria. 



II. ee On Just Intonation in Music ; with a description of a new 

 Instrument for the easy control of all Systems of Tuning 

 other than the ordinary equal Temperament.^ By R. H. M. 

 Bosanquet, Fellow of St. John's College, Oxford. Com- 

 municated by Professor H. J. S. Smith, F.R.S., Savilian 

 Professor of Geometry in the University of Oxford. 



(Abstract.) 



The object of this communication is to place the improved systems of 



* [Note. Jan. 31, 1873.]— In 'The Beginnings of Life,' vol. i. p. 332, note 1, I have 

 cited facts strongly tending to show that Bacteria are killed in infusions of turnip or of 

 hay, when these have been heated to a temperature of 140° F. They also seem to die 

 at the same temperature in solutions of ammonic tartrate with sodic phosphate. 



t See ' Beginnings of Life,' vol. ii. p. 35, and vol. i. p. 463. 



X See a recent communication by Prof. Burdon Sanderson, in ' Nature,' January 9th. 



