Spontaneous Generation

Abstract

DR. H. C. BASTIAN, who has recently called attention to the nature of the evidence before scientific men in favour of the theory of so-called spontaneous generation, has supplemented it by fresh experiments of his own. The dilemma in which the opponents of this doctrine are now placed is that they must either admit it, or else allow that a temperature of 150° C. maintained for four hours, and applied by means of liquid, is incapable of killing the germs of infusoria. Many, doubtless, of these opponents will courageously mount this horn of the dilemma, and make the requisite enlargement of their ideas on the subject of vital resistance to change. There are, however, other difficulties in the way. For instance, great difficulties are involved in the assumption that the atmosphere constitutes a storehouse of germs of all kinds ready to burst out into life on the occurrence of suitable conditions.