Note 49 — Chapter IV · The Growth of Different Organisms in a State of Purity: Their Autonomy.[49]

In the course of this work we shall combat, by means of experimental proofs which appear to us irrefragable, the opinions which many writers entertain on the subject of certain transformations of organisms—that of penicillium glaucum into ferment, or mycoderma; of bacteria into lactic ferment; of ferment into vibrios; of mycoderma aceti into ferment, and so on. Nevertheless, we shall pronounce no a priori opinion on the question whether the inferior organisms, which will be the subject of this chapter, and which include yeast and the ferments properly so called, are perfect beings in their habitual form, or whether they are susceptible of polymorphism. It is with this reservation that we employ the word autonomy. If we claim polymorphism for any species, we shall not do so without furnishing proofs. Some organs detached from higher organisms, and some beings in a certain phase of their existence, may reproduce themselves under a special form, with special properties, when brought into media and under conditions that are unfit for the production of the plant or animal under its other shape or ordinary mode of reproduction. Modern Science affords many examples of this, and certain alcoholic ferments present us with analogous facts; but to wish to stretch these facts beyond their due significance, and to admit a polymorphism that cannot be proved, in consequence of a belief that it is possible, or on the faith of confused observations, is to indulge in gratuitous assertion from a mere spirit of system.