1872.] Evolution of Life from Lifeless Matter. 141 



after standing at rest for many hours, the siphon clipping into the middle 

 of the liquid. The flask was, after the usually careful cleansing that 

 chemical vessels require, rinsed out with a solution of potassium dichro- 

 mate mixed with strong sulphuric acid, then washed out with distilled 

 water. A further quantity of distilled water collected in this vessel was 

 used for the solution. The experimental tube, with the lower end drawn out 

 but open, was cleansed with acid dichromate, and afterwards with hot distilled 

 water. The fine point was open, in order to let the liquids run through, 

 otherwise a drop might have collected in its capillary portion, and, not 

 being dislodged, would have interfered with the experiment. This tube 

 then, best described by fig. 1, had the fine end sealed up, and the liquid to 

 be experimented on poured in till it about half-filled the tube. The upper 

 part was then drawn out, so as to serve a purpose yet to be named, and 

 also in such a manner that it could be adapted to the Sprengel exhauster ; 

 after this operation it had the form of fig. 2. It was then fitted to the 

 Sprengel by means of a tube shown in fig. 3, which admitted of connexion 

 by means of two Sprengel joints, the one over the experimental tube being 

 made air-tight with water. The reason for water being used was this : 

 had there been a leak, water would have entered the tube, and so no 

 damage would have resulted ; but had it been mercury or glycerine, the 

 tube would necessarily have been rejected. The use of the bulb on the 

 connecting-piece was to catch the water which boiled or distilled over 

 during the exhausting process. After complete exhaustion, recognized by 

 the clicking of the falling mercury, a blowpipe-flame was cautiously applied 



to the fine tube till it fused thoroughly, and it was then drawn away from 

 the other portion. What was so far accomplished was the sealing of a 

 solution or infusion in a vacuous tube of the annexed form (fig. 4). The 



