The Relation of Science and Religion.pdf - Online Christian Library

EXPERIENCE I;ROM PAST CONFLICTS. 49The controversy on this subject was at itsheight in the years 1876, and 1877, having alarge amount of most carefill and difficult experimentdevoted to it. The result has beena valuable addition to scientific knowledge asto the vitality of germinal forms, and a quietusto theories as to " spoiitaneous generation."The direct object placed before the scientificmind ~vl~eii the discussioii arose was this,-to ascertain whether an origin of vital activitycould be observed in the midst of materialsfrom which all germinal forms of lifewere certainly excluded.The selection of materials to experimentupon was for a time according to the fancyof the experimenter. It was not proposedthat a vacutun should be made by withdrawalof all air from a glass vessel, thereafter watchingfor the appearance of some organic form.Nor was it suggested that pure water mightbe taken from. a spring, and boiled, and leftstanding under daily observation. A greatvariety of materials was selected to provide'an infusion which might afford the conditionsfor application of scientific tests. In this waythe followii~g materials were used and tested,infusion of turnip, of pounded cheese, hay,