THE PRINCIPLES OF BOTANY. 
710 
perfect cells, and again develop other buds. In a few hours a 
row of live or six cells will he developed from a single one. 
When found in any of the fluids it indicates the existence 
of saccharine fermentation.” 
It follows then that as a little leaven leavens the whole 
lump,” the introduction of yeast, or what is often much the 
same, imperfectly fermented matter, into the animal system is 
])roductive in some states of a fermentation which cannot be 
properly controlled; and hence it goes on to acetous fermen¬ 
tation, causing acids on the stomach, eructations from the 
formation of gases, &c. 
This at the present time is rendering beer a drink almost 
tabooed by some medical practitioners; tlie fact is, mucli 
of the fresh beer as now used is, more or less direct, made 
from sugar, which, in the shape of coarse raw sugar, mo¬ 
lasses, &c., is made to take the place of barley ; this is sent 
out in the half fermented state, and what should become a 
wholesome beverage is not unfrequently a poison. 
Still we are told that, after all, if grain he used the alcohol 
is produced from the altered sugar. True, but the case is 
different when sugar is used directly, as here, the simple 
process of fermentation takes place directly, and it is incom¬ 
plete by reason of its being obliged to be checked before it is 
over, or acetous fermentation would set in. In the fermenta¬ 
tion from malt, starch is converted into diastase, this again 
into sugar, and the sugar into alcohol, all which processes 
are going on simultaneously; and unless the one be com¬ 
pleted, the other cannot be commenced. This, then, is 
slower, and more equable in its results, and at the same time 
more perfect; and malt beer can scarcely be pushed into the 
market with its yeast in an active growing state, as it cannot 
possibly have attained that degree of brightness without which 
few would relish it. 
That many of the states of disease one meets with are due 
to fermentation, and that this fermentation is again due to 
the presence of one of the lower tribes of plants it has been 
my object to describe, is well known, and probably, when we 
have learnt more of these effects, we shall be able either to 
enhance or retard them, as may be, for the well-being of our 
patients. 
We copy another illustration from the valuable work to 
which we have already referred :— 
XLII. 
50 
