48 
SELECTED ARTICLES. 
at the end of the first hour after the addition of the yeast 
that the must already contained double globules; that is to say, 
upon each another smaller globule could be seen; that a little 
later this latter appeared to be enlarged, so that in many 
instances the two globules were of the same size; finally, the 
fourth specimen did not exhibit any double globules. I may 
add, that for the purpose of ascertaining whether the globules 
were connected, or only simply approximate, with a small 
needle I struck the glass containing the globules under the 
microscope, so as to produce considerable disturbance among 
the globules, but without breaking their connections ; it how- 
ever appears that these bodies on becoming older naturally 
lose their union, since in the ferment of commerce they are 
in general simple, as I have already remarked. This final 
disunion can hardly be attributed to any other than a vital 
action, distinct, it appears to me, from the idea that the 
formation of the globules are the result of crystallization, or of 
the coagulation of albumen; besides that in the course of the 
different fermentations which I have produced with the 
ferment of beer, it has happened that I could distinguish on 
certain globules many granules, and sometimes a round or 
oval spot, either central or lateral, which might be considered 
as a cicatrix or umbilicus formed by the disunion. 
I suppose that ferment is of a vegetable nature, although 
containing azote, principally from this, that the globules have 
not the power of spontaneous movement. To this view it may 
be objected that some animals are deprived of such movements, 
and it is allowable to presume that among microscopic ani- 
malcules analogous bodies may be found, and that the globules 
are of this nature. But it appears to be more likely that 
ferment is of a vegetable nature, when we consider, 1, that 
this substance by its action upon sugar loses its azote, as was 
long since discovered by M. Thenard {Jinn, de Chim.;) and 
2, that all vegetables in a rudimentary state yield ammonia 
by distillation; besides that the azoted matter may be entirely 
separated and the vegetable tissue left behind, (Mem. de M. 
Pay en, Recueil des Savans Etr 'angers, 1S34.) 
