New-York tribune., 1871-09-08
NEW PUBLICATIONS.


soDEs Or ORIGIN OF LOWEST & oEeASIa IN x.,,Is b.
SC~
In the present work, Mr., Bastian continues
the discussion with regard to the origin Of m IN which
h has heretofore contested the views OF NJ Pasteur
Professor Huxley and Professor Tyndall The conclu-
soAs at which he has arrived challenge tho attention
Of scientific nQurers account OF their opposition TO
generally received Opnions the subject no less than
for the ability and fairness with which the controversy
been conducted by the author In opposing the the
cries Of NJ Pascur has endeavored to point out the
reasonngs OF that eminent physicist while he
maintains that their results may he reversed ny the en-
ployment OF different experimental materials and differ
ent experimental methods The question Of the origin
Of living matter, according to Mr.. Bastan, cannot Do
separated from the problem relating 70 the cause OF fer
0entAtiOn and putrefactiOn In this problem there are
two rival theories the physical theory and the vital
sheory, the former OF which lie supported by Baron
Iaehg and the author the latter by NJ Pastcur tits
held by the advocates of the physical theory that Ter
nentation is purely chemical process Tor the com-
encement Of which the agency of living organisms Is
oct necessary; while, on the other hand' IL
h contended that all ferments are living organ
tsms and that no fermentation can take place
without the action OF living objects. The former
oorcluson It is claimed by Mr.. Bastan, is fully con-
AFsed by the results of many original experlhlon'S !"
which he discovered living organisms IN h'sKS 'ndt
few weeks before had been Theoretically sealed ana
nenhcit He argues that II the fluids IN theSe masks
which were clear at first gradually became turhd, and
upOn microscOpical examination, the tur'dity was
found tO he due to the presence OF cerS'1 orSaASu
would bc folly to discuss whether thc organisms were
living or dead on the strength OF the mere actVlty or
languor OF the movements which they were seen 10 dis
pay No one can imagine that lfcleSs organisms would
ulttpy to such an in closed flask to produce
nrbdity in an originally clear fluid in the course Of two
three days In these experiments with heated nuds
IN closed TASKS Mr. Basan admits that there Is ahun-
Gant room for merely negative results The same kinds
Of nfusons which, has been taken to obtain them
strong enough will in few days teen with living organ
Isms often show trace Of living things after much
longer periods when the solutions are weak SO too i'll
those cases where only few organisms exist in sou-
dOn which has been made the subject of experiment.
superficial examination would naturally fail in discover
ing any the thnly scattered living organisms EN-
periments, accordingly Of which the results are in
fact positive, may, in the absence OF sufficient care
be cited negative; and experiments Whlch
would otherwise have Afforded positive PROOFS
may be rendered wholly barren by the employment OF
tnfusions which have carelessly made With these
aincations Mr.. Bashan is prepared TO defend the
commencement Of living organisms by natural process
independently of previous living matter and under TIE
Influence OF laws similar to those which preside over inc
origin Of crystals in other words, the doctrine OF
what has called spontaneous generation although
that favorite with the physicists OF MS
school The lowest organisms however that are evolved
In processes of fermentation and putrefacton are TO
be regarded occasional cOncOmant products rather
than nvarabe necessary OF all tho chemical
changes OF that character But the conclusion cannot oe
resisted Mr. Bastian contends that spccks OF living
matter may born in suitable fluids, Just as secks Of
crystalline matter may arise in other fluids. Both pro-
oAsses arc alike nexplcable equally the results OF the
operation Of nscruabe natural laws and of what seem
70 be inherent molecular afnities The properties OF
living matter like properties Of crystalline matter
are dependent the number. kind and mode OF cooca
on OF the atoms molecules that enter into Its com
position. Living matter develops into organisms OF
different kinds as crystalline matter grows Into crystals
OF diverse shares The evolution OF both, marked Oy
their ncular may be regarded as visible
expressions announcing the one, allpervadng Power,
whose dwelling is the light OF setting suns ana tue
round Oocau aud the living air. and the blue sky and IN
the mind man." The spirit Of this volume IN It's
evident candor and of truth, untaned by scientific
oigoty or partisanship worthy Of all praise 1t has
ony the Of great cOnciseness almost
bareness OF statement and illustration but this defect
will undoubtedly be remedied in larger work ON the same
subect now in press in which the grand problem OF the
sBegnnings Of Life is fully discussed by the author