"germ theory." 
397 
to originate from matter which cannot be said to possess any vital 
properties, even in solutions which had previously contained merely 
mineral ingredients. Dr. Bastian considers the term " Spontaneous 
Generation" to indicate what he describes as Archebiosis as in- 
correct, as it takes place according to natural laws; and, again, 
that many have included under the term Spontaneous Generation 
instances of what are really cases of Heterogenesis, which is really 
the original living matter from pre-existing life ; but from living 
matter of a different description ; thus, from the cells of Spiro- 
Syra, a fresh-water weed, spores issue forth, which become con- 
verted into minute animalculae, named amoebae. 
It is necessary to determine what shall be considered as living 
matter. Formerly all living matter was supposed to be reduced to 
cells; this was taught by Yirchow and other great authorities. 
Goodsir, of Edinburgh, believed that in the nucleus or central spot 
of the cell resided the vital property. It now appears that we are 
to regard minute specks of matter, without nucleus or enclosing 
membrane, as possessing vital properties. This has been named by 
Professor Huxley and others Protoplasm, or the Physical Basis of 
Life. 
Dr. Bastian's experiments, which consist in the main of boiling 
various vegetable and mineral ingredients in flasks, which are then 
hermetically sealed and exposed to a temperature of 75° to 80° P. 
for some days, and finding by microscopic examination that low 
forms of life are present in the solutions, have been objected to on 
various grounds; viz., that the germs have resisted the heat to 
which they have been exposed, or that air has found its way into 
the flasks at the moment of closure, &c. Dr. B. Sanderson has, 
however, confirmed the exactness of the experiments; and, 
although some have yielded negative results, yet that does not 
explain those in which positive ones have been obtained. Still, 
however, the evidence does not appear to be quite conclusive ; and 
although the balance of evidence seems to be strongly in favour of 
Dr. Bastian's views, yet it is probable that it will not be generally 
accepted until verified by equally skilled observers, and tested in 
various ways. 
