Page "Spontaneous generation" Paragraph 39

:"... inability to trace the origin of minute plants and insects led to the doctrine of what is called spontaneous or equivocal generation, of which the fancies above-mentioned are some ' of the prominent branches.

The experiments of Redi on the hatching of insects from eggs, which were published at Florence in 1668, first brought discredit upon this doctrine, though it had always a few eminent disciples.

At present it is maintained by a considerable number-of distinguished naturalists, such as Blumenbach, Cuvier, Bory de St. Vincent, R. Brown, & c. " The notion or spontaneous generation ," says Bory, " is at first revolting to a rational mind, but it is, notwithstanding, demonstrable by the microscope.

The fact is averred: Willer has seen it, I have seen it, and twenty other observers have seen it: the pandorinia exhibit it every instant.

" These pandorinia he elsewhere describes as probably nothing more than " animated scions of Zoocarpae ".

It would be unprofitable to go into any lengthened discussion upon this mysterious subject ; and we have great doubts whether the ocular demonstration by the microscope would succeed except in the hands of a disciple of the school.

Even with naturalists, whose business it is to deal with facts, the reason is often wonderfully influenced by the imagination ..."