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33 AVENUE STUDIOS; ‫צעשששכסא‬50037151? SW.

"
SEPTEMBER
΄

. An VIII
1912 0.3. (D in &
`

L» .
THE EQUINOX
Pages 49-96 of this Volume printed ἐν
tii: .4 (lamam): Press ; ‘Me remainderä)-
Richard C lay δ᾽” 5072:, Limited,
Landon (md Bungay
 CONTENTS
PAGE

EDITORIAL xxiii
ΘΕΛΗΜΑ. Α TONE-TESTAMENT. BY LEILA WADDELL xxvii
THREE POEMS. BY VICTOR B. NEUBURG xxxvii
THE TEMPLE OF SOLOMON THE KING (Continued) 5
HIS SECRET SIN 49
LONG ODDS 61
DOCTOR BOB. A SKETCH BY MARY D’ESTE AND ALEISTER CROWLEY 65
THE WOODCUTTER 79
LA FOIRE. BY BARBEY DE ROCHECHOUART 89
PROFESSOR ZIRCON 91
A BRIEF ABSTRACT OF THE SYMBOLIC REPRESENTATION OF
THE UNIVERSE, DERIVED BY DOCTOR JOHN DEE
THROUGH THE SKRYING OF SIR EDWARD KELLY.
PART II. THE FORTY—EIGHT CALLS 99
STEPNEY 129
THE TELL-TALE HEART. ADAPTED FROM THE STORY OF
E. A. POE. BY ALEISTER CROWLEY 131
SORITES .
142
A DESCRIPTION OF THE CARDS OF THE TAROT, WITH
THEIR ATTRIBUTIONS; INCLUDING A METHOD OF
DIVINATION BY THEIR USE I43
ON—-ON———“POET ” 211
ELDER EEL 215
THE SPADGER 230
TO PERSIS 231
WAITE’S WET OR THE BACKSLIDER’S RETURN 233
MY CRAPULOUS CONTEMPORARIES. NO. VI. AN OBITUARY 243
THE NEW EVELYN HOPE 250
REVIEWS 253

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
FACING PAGE
THE SPHINX (PORTRAIT OF MISS WADDELL) xxxiii
A VISION OF GOLGOTHA (THE CRUCIFIXION OF FRA. P.) 32
THE COMPLETE SYMBOL OF THE TAROT _
145

XXi
[These page: are ”‫ן‬%/‫ ????עמשש‬O/jïcz'a! [pronouncements by Με Chance/[07
oftke A A .]
Persons- wishing for information, assistance, further inter-
pretation, etc., are requested to communicate with
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE A.'. A.'.
c/o THE EQUINOX,
3 Great James Street,
W.C.
Telephone : CITY 8987,

or to call at that address by appointment. Α representative

will be there to meet them.

THE Chancellor of the A A considers it desirable to

make a brief statement of the financial position, as the time
has now arrived to make an effort to spread the knowledge
to the ends of the earth. The expenses of the propaganda
are roughly estimated as follows——

Maintenance of Temple, and service . . £200 p.a.

Publications . . . . . . £ 200 p.a.
Advertising, electrical expenses, etc. .
.

. ΄{200 p.a.
Maintenance of an Hermitage Where poor
᾽

Brethren may make retirements . . £ 200 p.a.

£ 800 p.a.
As in the past, the persons responsible for the movement
will give the whole of their time and energy, as well as their
worldly wealth, to the service of the A . '. A . '.
Unfortunately, the sums at their disposal do not at
present suffice for the contemplated advance, and the Chan-
cellor consequently appeals for assistance to those who have
found in the instructions of the
the end they sought. All moneys
AA
received
a sure means to
will be applied
solely for the purpose of aiding those who have not yet
entered the circle of the light.
11
 Owing to the unnecessary strain thrown upon Neophytes
by unprepared persons totally ignorant of the groundwork
taking the Oath of a Probationer, the Imperator of Α.’. Α.'.,
under the seal and by the authority of V.V.V.V.V., ordains
that every person wishing to become a Probationer of As. Α.'.
must first pass three months as a Student of the Mysteries.
He must possess the following books :~————

THE EQUINOX, from No. I to the current number.

(NEVE-*
“ Raja Yoga,” by Swami Vivekananda.
“ The Shiva Sanhita,” or “The Hathayoga
Pradipika.”
“ Konx Om Pax.” ᾽

57991-5;
“The Spiritual Guide,” by Miguel de Molinos.
“ Rituel et Dogme de la haute Magie,”
par Eliphaz
Levi, or its translation, by A. Ε. Waite.
.00 The Goetia of the Lemegeton of Solomon the
"‘

King.”
'

“ Tannhauser, by Α. Crowley.
“The Sword of Song,” by A. Crowley.
II. “Time,” by A. Crowley.
12. “ Eleusis,” by A. Crowley.
[These four last items are to be found in his
Collected Works]
I3. “The Book of the Sacred Magic of Abra-melin
the Mage.”
I 4.. The Tao Teh King and the Writings of Kwany
Tzu (Sacred Books of the East, Vols. XXXIX,
XL).
An examination in these books will be made. The Student
is expected to show a thorough acquaintance with them, but
not necessarily to understand them in any deeper sense. On
passing the examination he may be admitted to the grade of
Probationer.
iii
 Probationers are reminded that the object of Probations
and Ordeals is one: namely, to select Adepts. But the
method appears twofold: (i) to fortify the fit, (ii) to eliminate
the unfit.

The Chancellor of the A A Views without satisfaction

the practice of Probationers working together. A Probationer
should work with his Neophyte, or alone. Breach of this rule
may prove a bar to advancement.

iv
 I.N.R.I.
BRITISH SECTION OF THE
ORDER OF ORIENTAL TEMPLARS
O.T.O.

[The Premonstrator of the Α Α permits it to be

known that there is not at present any necessary incom-
patibility between the A.°. A.'. and the O. Τ. O. and
M M M .'., and allows membership of the same as a
valuable preliminary training]
 ORDER OF ORIENTAL TEMPLARS

MYSTERIA MYSTICA MAXIMA

PREAMBLE
DURING the last twenty-five years, constantly increaSing
numbers of earnest people and seekers after truth have been
turning their attention to the study of the hidden laws of
Nature.
The growth of interest in these matters has been simply
marvellous. Numberless societies, associations, orders,
groups, etc., etc., have been founded in all parts of the
civilized world, all and each following some line of occult
study.
While all these newly organized associations do some
good in preparing the minds of thoughtful people for their
eventually becoming genuine disciples of the One Truth, yet
there is but ONE ancient organization of Mystics which
shows to the student a Royal Road to discover the One
Truth. This organization has permitted the formation of the
body known as the “ANCIENT ORDER OF ORIENTAL
TEMPLARS.” It is a modern School of Magi. Like
the ancient Schools of Magi it derived its knowledge from
Egypt and Chaldea. This knowledge is never revealed to
vu
 THE EQUINOX
the profane, for it gives immense power for either good or evil
to its possessors.
It is recorded in symbol, parable and allegory, requiring a
Key for its interpretation.
The symbols of Freemasonry were originally derived from
the more ancient mysteries, as all who have travelled the
burning sands know. The ritual and ceremonies, signs and
passwords have been preserved with great fidelity; but the
Real Key has been long lost to the crowds who have been
initiated, advanced and raised in Masonry.
The KEY to this knowledge can, however, be placed
within the reach of all those who unselfishly desire, study and
work for its possession.
The Symbols of Ancient Masonry, the Sacred Art of the
Ancient Chemi (Egyptians), and Homer’s Golden Chain are but
different aspects of the One Great Mystery. They represent
but different degrees of initiation. By the Right Use of the
“ Key” alone the “ Master Word ” can be found. ,

In order to afford genuine seekers after Hermetic Truth

some information on the aims of the Ancient Order of
Oriental Templars, we now print the preliminary instruction
issued by the Fratres of this Order.

FIRST INSTRUCTION

T0 all 107%/‫?”!ש‬ z'!

may comem——
Let it be known that there exists, unknown to the great
crowd, a very ancient order of sages, whose object is the
amelioration and spiritual elevation of mankind, by means of
viii
 ORDER OF ORIENTAL TEMPLARS
conqueringerror, and aiding men and women in their efforts
of attaining the power of recognizing thetruth. This order
has existed already in the most remote and prehistoric times ;
and it has manifested its activity secretly and Openly in the
world under different names and in various forms; it has
caused social and political revolutions, and proved to be the
rock of salvation in times of danger and misfortune. It has
always upheld the banner of freedom against tyranny, in
whatever shape this appeared, whether asclerical or political,
or social despotism or oppression of any kind. To this secret
order every wise and spiritually enlightened person belongs by
right of his or her nature; because they all, even if they are
personally unknown to each other, are one in their purpose
and object, and they all work under the guidance of the one
light of truth. Into this sacred society no one can be
admitted by another, unless he has the power to enter it him-
self by virtue of his own interior illumination ; neither can any
‫?־‬

one, after he has once entered, be expelled, unless he should

expel himself by becOming unfaithful to his principles, and
forget again the truths which he has learned by his own
experience.
All this is known to every enlightened person; but it is
known only to few that there exists also an external, visible
organization of such men and women who, having themselves
found the path to real self-knowledge, are willing to give to
others, desirous of entering that path, the benefit of their
experience and to act as spiritual guides to those who are
willing to be guided. As a. matter of course, those persons
who are already sufficiently spiritually developed to enter into
conscious communion with the great spiritual brotherhood
1x
 THE EQUINOX
will be taught directly by the spirit of wisdom; but those
who still need external adviceand support will find this in
the external organization of that society. In regard to the
spiritual aspect of this secret order, one of the Brothers says—u
“Our community has existed ever since the first day of
creation when the gods spoke the divine command: ‘Let
there be lightl’ and it will continue to exist till the end of
time. It is the Society of the Children of Light, who live
in the light and have attained immortality therein. In our
school we are instructed directly by Divine Wisdom, the
Celestial Bride, whose will is free and who selects as her
disciples those who are devoted to her. The mysteries which
we are taught embrace everything that can possibly be known
in regard to God, Nature and Man. Every sage that ever
existed in the world has graduated at our school ; for without
wisdom no man can be wise. We all study only one book,
the Book of Nature, in which the keys to all secrets are con—
tained, and we follow the only possible method in studying it,
that of experience. Our place of meeting is the Temple of
the Holy Spirit pervading the universe; easily to be found
by the elect, but for ever hidden from the eyes of the vulgar.
Our secrets cannot be sold for money, but we give them- free
to every one capable to receive them.”
As to the external organization of that society, it will
be necessary to give a glance at its history, which has been
one and the same in all. Whenever that spiritual Society
manifested itself on the outward plane and appeared in the
world, it consisted at its beginning of a few able and en-
lightened people, forming a nucleus around which others were
x
 ORDER OF ORIENTAL TEMPLARS
attracted. But invariably, the more such a society grew in
numbers, the more became attracted to its elements, such as
were not able to understand or follow its principles; people
who joined it for the purpose of gratifying their own ambition
or for making the society serve their own ends obtained the
majority over those that were pure. Thereupon the healthy
portion of it retired from the field and continued their
benevolent work in secrecy, while the remaining portion
became diseased and disrupted, and sooner or later died
disgraced and profaned. For the Spirit had departed from
them.
For this reason the external organization of which we
speak has resolved not to reveal its name or place to the
.

vulgar. Furthermore, for the same reason, the names of the

teachers and members of this society shall remain unknown,
except to Such as are intimately associated with them in their
common work. If it is said that in this way the society will
gain only few members, it may be answered that our society
has a spiritual head, and that those who are worthy of being
admitted will be guided to it by means of their intuition;
while those who have no intuition are not ripe for it and not
needed. It is better to have only a comparatively small.
number of capable members than a great many useless
ones.
From the above it will be clear that the first and most
necessary acquirement of the new disciple is that he will keep
silent in regard to all that concerns. the society to which he is
admitted. Not that there is anything in that Society which
needs to be afraid of being known to the virtuous and good ;
but it is not necessary that things which are elevated and
Xl
 THE EQUINOX
sacred should be exposed to the gaze of the vulgar, and be
bespattered by them with mud. This would only impede the
society in its work.
Another necessary requirement is mutual confidence be-
tween the teacher and the disciple; because a disciple who
has no faith in his master cannot be taught or guided by
him. There may be things which will appear strange, and
for which no reasons can be given to the beginner; but when
the disciple has attained a certain state of development all
will be clear to him or her. The confidence which is required
will also be of little service if it is only of a short duration.
The way of the development of the soul, which leads to the
awakening of the inner senses, is slow, and without patience
and fortitude nothing will be accomplished.
From all this it follows as a matter of course that the
next requisite is obedience. The purpose of the disciple is to
obtain the mastery over his own lower self, and for this reason
he must not submit himself to the will of his lower nature,
but follow the will of that higher nature, which he does not
yet know, but which he desires to find. In obeying the will
of the master, instead of following the one which he believes
to be his own, but which is in reality only that of his lower
nature, he obeys the will of his own higher nature with which
his master is associated for the purpose of aiding the disciple
in attaining the conquest over himself. The conquest of
the higher self over the lower self means the victory of the
divine consciousness in man over that which in him is earthly
and animal. Its object is a realization of true manhood and
womanhood, and the attainment of conscious immortality in
the realization of the highest state of existence in perfection.
X11
 ORDER OF ORIENTAL TEMPLARS
These few preliminary remarks may be sufficient for
those who desire information concerning our order; to those
who feel themselves capable to apply for admission, further
instructions will be given.
Address all communications to The Registrar, M...M°°...M,
c/o THE EQUINOX, 3 Great James Street, Bedford Row, W.C.

THE FOLLOWING
DISCOURSE
(Tram/died from Ike angina! French)
Was [ate/y þromzmced a! Bruma/ide ( Lower Saxony) where
PRINCE
of M., by ...........
COUNT at T.,
2'5GRAND MASTER
the !2227202220” of !225 5022
“I congratulate you on your admission into the most
ancient, and perhaps the most respectable, society in the
universe. To you the mysteries of M. are about to be
revealed, and so bright a sun never shed lustre on your
eyes. In this awful moment, when prostrate at this holy
altar, do you not shudder at every crime, and have you not
confidence in every virtue? May this reflection inspire you
with noble sentiments ; may you be penetrated with a religious
abhorrence of every vice that degrades human nature; and
may you feel the elevation of soul which scorns a dishonour-
able action, and ever invites to the practice of piety and
virtue.
“These are the wishes of a father and a brother conjoined.
Of you the greatest hopes are raised; let not our ex—
pectations be deceived. You are the son of a M. who glories
)(iii
 THE EQUINOX
in the profession; and for your zeal and attachment, your
silence and good conduct, your father has already pledged his
honour ,

“You are now, as a member of this illustrious order,

introduced a subject of a new country, whose extent is
boundless. Pictures are opened to your view, wherein true!
patriotism is exemplified in glowing colours, and a series of
transactions recorded, which the rude hand of Time can never
erase. The obligations which influenced the first Brutus and
Manlius to sacrifice their children to the love of their country
are not more sacred than those which bind me to support the
honour and reputation of this venerable order.
“This moment, my son, you owe to me a second birth;
should your conduct in life correspond with the principles of
M., my remaining years will pass away with pleasure and
satisfaction. Observe the great example of our ancient
masters, peruse our history and our constitutions. The best,
the most humane, the bravest, and most civilized of men have
been our patrons. Though the vulgar are strangers to our
works, the greatest geniuses have sprung from our order.
The most illustrious characters on earth have laid the
foundation of their most amiable qualities in M. The wisest
of princes, SOLOMON, planned our institution by raising a
temple to the Eternal and Supreme Ruler of the Universe.
“Swear, my son, that you will be a true and faithful M.
Know, from this moment, that I centre the affection of a
parent in the name of a brother and a friend. May your
heart be susceptible of love and esteem, and may you burn
with the same zeal your father possesses. Convince the
world, by your new allegiance, you are deserving our favours,
x1v
 ORDER OF ORIENTAL TEMPLARS
and never forget the ties which bind you to honour and? to
justice.
“View not with indifference the extensive connections
you have formed, but let universal benevolence regulate your
conduct. Exert your abilities in the service of your king
and your country, and deem the knowledge you have this
day attained the happiest acquisition of your life.‘
“Recall to memory'the ceremony of your initiation;
learn to bridle your tongue and to govern your passions : and
ere long you will have occasion to say: ‘In becoming a M.,
I truly became the man; and while I breathe will never
disgrace a jewel that kings may prize.’
“ IfI live,
my son, to reap the fruits of this day’s labour,
my happiness will be complete. I will meet death without
terror, close my eyes in peace, and expire without a groan, in
the arms of a virtuous and worthy Μ.”

XV
 EDITORIAL
LOVE! Dear Readers, have you ever thought what a
wonderful thing love is? What would life be without love?
A desert! There would be no true happiness without love.
And yet we must admit that love is in some ways a great
danger. We must remember that many great teachers have
forbidden it. What did the great Buddha say to Ananda?
”
“ Beware of
women, Anandal “ But, Lord, they are subtle
of speech l " “Don’t speak to them, Ananda l ” “But, Lord,
” “ Keep wide awake, Ananda l ”
suppose they speak to us ?
'

Think of Paul’s contemptuous permission, “ It isbetter

to marry than to burn ”——it is easy to see that Paul had
never been married !—-and of his Master’s plain prohibition
of anything of the sort.
If our own Beloved Lord and Teacher does not join the
band, it is (may I suggest with all humility?) because He
wants us to be strong enough to manage our own affairs
without resorting to the extreme of prohibition.
But it is hard upon the weak. Think of A, who left
the noblest and the most exalted pursuits for a baser love, a
love in a boarding-house in Hoxton, a love with spectacles
and elastic-sided boots; think of B, who married (on her
holiday as a maid—of—all-work in Bayswater) a forty-pfennig
fly—by—night from Hamburg, who cuck’olded him openly in
xxiii
 THE EQUINOX
the streets of Venice, and nearly sobbed the station into the
lagoon as she was torn shrieking from her favourite gondolier
by the girls she was supposed to be chaperoning; think of C,
who forgot the heavenly choir for the earthly, and of D, who
was last seen in Naples being sick out of a window on the
second floor; think of E, who married a girl named Ethel
Maud, reaping in himself that recompense of his error which
was meet; think of F, who might have performed the Opera—
tion of the Sacred Magic of Abra-melin the Mage, and has
taken up Goat Golf instead; think of G, who went ashore
once too often, and was caught by a girl named Alphonsina
Nectarine Stubbs; think of H, who had to shave off the
loveliest red beard to show what a strong chin he really had ;
think of I—nol that isn’t grammar—think of Me!
My catalogue need not stop there, but it shall. Against
all this what have we to urge but the awful example of ], who
wanted to store up Ojas, and went off his K—nut?
No, dear readers, love is not all that it’s cracked up to be.
It’s a good boy to have to answer the bell, but it’s a bad
packing-house when you’re the pig!
Love is like champagne. You must drink it quickly; and
if you keep it corked up too long, you find it has gone flat.
It is a fine pick—me—up; but champagne all day is nastier than
skilly.
FRATER PERDURABO is a wise man. He never
says “Keep off the drink!” If you cannot drink soberly and
decently you are not fit. If you can be your own master in
the matter of love, you may perhaps master The Great
Magician in the end. But if your Great Work means so
little to you that the first {Μα-{Μα unsettles you, and the
XXIV
 EDITORIAL
Perfume and the Vision mean no more than a whiff of
patchouli and a glimpse of an open—work silk stocking—well,
you’re not the sort that was ever likely to do much good for
the next few billion incarnations
!

Icould write on love for hours; but will conclude with

only one other bit of advice—«Don’t marry a nigger !

By inadvertence two of the Official A A .' publications

in No. VII were called Liber Tam. The Book DCCCXXXI,
formerly called Vesta, will therefore be called Liber [ad
instead of Tau.
The lady who stole Mr. Crowley’s Aldine Catullus is
hereby warned that she is known, and had better return it
before trouble arises. Mago/za panda, ffedde codici/los.

It is also hoped to secure at the mystic term in respect of

known dedications sacramentally in fine a mystery-poem by
our friend and co-disciple, restored and redeemed, Arthur
Edward Waite. It is intituled, Εῤοῤί [strands—Part I, “St.
Leger’s Eve” ; Part II, “Moral Certainty”; Part III, “The
Great Oath” ; Part IV, “First Paces on the Path” ; Part V,
“Three spheres of Gold” ; Part VI, “The Initiate’s Pledge” ;
Part VII, “Beneath the Seat ” ; Part VIII, “The Maker of the
Book”; Part IX, “Some Sixty—fold”; Part X, “The Bier”;
Part XI, “The Bier” (con/z'nued); Part XII, “The Bier”
(comz'nuecz’); Part XIII, “Blue Robes”; Part XIV, “The
Dark Night”; Part XV, “Before the Accusers”; Part XVI,
“The Assessor”; Part XVII, “Forte bobor tendas”; Part
XVIII, “Aum sweet Aum!” Part, XIX, “Welcome! The
Allocution of Maria.”
XXV
 THE EQUINOX
We must record our thanks to the noble generosity of many
of our readers, which has enabled us to carry on the work of
making known this clear description of The Path, given to us
by the A A .'., which has so helped us all to enter and
pursue that Path.

At Christmas we shall move to new premises. Notice

will be sent by post to subscribers in due course.

xxvi
 ΘΕΛΗΜΑ

A TONE-TESTAMENT
BY
LEILA WADDELL

xxvii
HOMAGE PRELIMINARY
LIFE that is lost in dullard
Dreams of the senses, go!
Life, by the soul fair-coloured,
Thy valiant trumpets blow!

Far from the world where love is lust,

And work is pain, and wealth is dust,
Rise on the wings of love, and soar
To the sun’s self, the eternal shore
Where flaming streamers soar and roll,
Angels to guard its secret soul,
The Garden where my love and I
May walk to all eternity.
Who dares to force the fiery gate
May win our world inviolate.
Children whose hearts are passionate;
Maidens whose flesh is fair and fain,
And men whose souls no Senses stain,
Come! These mad miles of flame of ours
Are cool as springs and fresh as flowers.
XXiX
 THE EQUINOX
And thou, sole star in my black firmament!
Thou, night that wraps me close, thou, moon that
glimmers
Chaste, yet embraced, serenest element
Lapping my life as the sea laps a swimmer’s;
Thou, by whose strength and purity and love
I leave this land, attain to the above,

Come thou rose—red, break on my soul like dawn

And gild my peaks, and bid their fountains flow;
For in thine absence all their life withdrawn
Congealed my being to a sterile snow,
Snow fallen from some accursed star to ban
All the high hope and heritage of man.

Come thou, a gleaming goddess of pure pearl,

Price of mine homage to the great glad god!
Come, saint and satyr praise alike the girl
Who to my whole life put the period
Of all fulfilment, whose prophetic breath
Girds me with life, and garlands me with death.

Come, be thy magic in the rime and rhythm,

Until the sea sways to the tender tune,
And the winds whisper, and the leaves wave with them,
The leaves wherethrough we look upon the moon,
So that men hear me of the world within
Secure from sorrow, sanctified from sin,
XXX
 HOMAGE PRELIMINARY
The world of stranger deities and loves
Than haunted Ida, or were hidden in
The Cretan bowers, the Eleusinian groves,
A world that trembles on thy violin,
Eager to be—and then the curtain drops
Just as thy music, with my heart’s pulse, stops.

Nay! To this world of ours they shall not reach.

My rimes are shadows dancing in the breeze
By moonlight; there is no delight in speech
Such as the silence of our own heart’s ease;
But even thy shadow is itself a sun
To the bleak universe of Everyone.

Then open sesame! The fairy cavern

Of gold and gems, strange land of misty truth,
As witches’ eyes in a polluted tavern
Glow with the vampire vanity of youth
Stolen from maids, so let thine own eyes shine
In this fantastic mystery of thine!

Thine eyes are love and truth and loyalty;

.

Thine eyes are mystery unveiled to one.

Let them ray forth incarnate deity
Fit to assoil the eclipse-attainted sun!
Let them point still my weather-beaten soul
Infallibly the pathway of the pole!
ALEISTER CROWLEY.

xxxi
 þoco piu moderato.
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xxxiv
 Ist time.

þoco leggz'em.
XXXV
 ὦ;
2nd time.

xxxvi
THREE POEMS
BY VICTOR B. NEUBURG

XXXVfi
 THE WAY
PALE yellow moon, and pale green grass,
Oh, have ye seen Diana pass?
And are ye pale for longing or love,
Palest green grass, pale moon above?

Pale yellow moon, before the dawn,

Palest green grass,
Oh, have ye seen Diana pass
Over the lawn ?

Soft—noted nightingales I love,

With the earth below, and the moon above,
And the rippling river singing slowly
Under the stars serene and holy.
Great staring moon before the dawn,
Shining young grass,
Oh, have ye heard Diana pass
Over the lawn ?

Oh, dimpling river, murmuring slowly

Under the starlight pale, and holy,
Oh, little green grasshoppers chirring, chirring,
What have ye seen in the bright night stirring?
XXXIX
 THE EQUINOX
Young moon chaste before the dawn,
Softest young grass,
Oh, have ye seen Diana pass
Over the lawn ?

Oh, little green grasshoppers sleepily chirring,

Have ye seen aught in the bright night stirring?
Palest moon, and pale green grass,
Have ye heard, have ye heard Diana pass?

Bright moon, Virgin before the dawn,

Listening grass,
Oh, have ye heard Diana pass
Over the lawn ?

X1
 A PICTURE
THE slim brown fingers kiss the Viol-strings,
Dark, narrow eyes pierce to the soul within ;
What slow enchanted joy reverie brings
To him, the lover of the Violin ;
Sorrow or joy: or saintliness or sin
To him are one, if only he may win
Unto the heart, the hidden heart that sings
What grave old histories, what mysterious things!

So there he squats to find the hidden flaw

In the dark doorway. God! I see him yet
With aweless face that yet reflects the awe
Of something greater than the music’s fret;
On the dark soul within his thoughts are set ;
N 0 hope, no fear, no anguish, no regret,
But only wonder at some secret Law
That holds the sounds; he squats upon the straw.

Under that grave, blue sky no thing he sees :

The swift chameleon market-place ; the white

Stern pillars of the churches ; murmuries
VIII A
 THE EQUINOX
That float on the summer air; the hot delight,
Awaken no response only the might
;

Of the shy poesie that enchants the night

He cares to love ; the eerie palaces
Where the soul finds forbidden harmonies.

Oh Νονν his eyes dance up to meet the sun ;

!

Curious, he peers into the hurtling air:

Oh! all his spirit follows, slim and fair;
The spears of light attract him : it is done ;
The flaw is found ; he bends again, to shun
The summer-heat see! the swift fingers run
:

Like spiders o’er the strings Look it is bare,

: !

The flaw: and he has found What godhead there !

 Α VALLEY SONG
OVER the hills the shadows creep,
Like dreams across the sleep of lovers ;
And through their golden, satiate sleep,
Singing, the Skylark hovers.
His lyric gold the Skylark spills
As over the bare, green hills he hovers ;

The space betwixt love’s breasts he fills

With songs from the hearts of lovers.
The shadows move across the green,
Slowly, over the grass and clover,
As gentle as the kiss between
Love’s breasts from the lips of her lover.

The hills lie bare and green and steep,

And the Skylark rises over,
Like the breath of love in the satiate sleep
Of the lover with her lover.
Oh, the hills of the scorching South,
Whereover the dim, poised Skylark hovers!
Oh, why is the song of the skylark’s mouth
Such pain to the weary lovers ?
Α2
 THE EQUINOX
Over the hills the shadows creep
Like dreams across the sleep of lovers ;
And through their satiate, golden sleep
The shrilling Skylark hovers.
THE TEMPLE OF SOLOMON
THE KING
 THE TEMPLE OF SOLOMON THE
KING
THE BABE
IT was about a fortnight after the writing of Liber Legis
that Fra. Ρ. left Egypt for the grey skies of the Scottish
Highlands, where, with the Seer, he began to put into practice
the experiments suggested in the Book of the Law.
The astounding success of these experiments would have
convinced any other man of the reality of his experiences, and
induced him to devote his life absolutely to the work enjoined ;
but Fra. P. was not made of common clay. He issued a careless
manifesto, calling upon the Universe to adore, and nothing
particular coming of this, he lost interest. It is what he calls
“The way of the Tao” to do everything by doing nothing.
Take no trouble or care about a matter; it will come to pass.
It seems to us a sort of happy fatalism; to him it is the
highest of magical formulae.
The upshot of all was that on the birth of a child he had
completely put everything aside. He played at Yoga for
about a week during the summer, and he took some little
trouble to disperse the wreckage of the “ Rosicrucians,” which
constituted a danger to navigation, the wretch Mathers having
by now abandoned all pretence at magic, and mingled stupid
sorceries with his bouts of intoxication, ever more frequent
7
 THE EQUINOX
and prolonged. This service to humanity he successfully
performed; the “Rump” of the London Temple was dis-
persed, and its chief, his occupation gone, left to the more
diverting pastime of trying to dodge the Criminal Law
Amendment Act.
With autumn we find Fra. P. still less occupied with
magic; he spent the winter skating at St. Moritz, where his
only occult exploit seems to have been parson-baiting, and
though he returned to Scotland in the spring, it was only for
a few days. For on April 27, 1905, one of the old comrades
of his journeys in Central Asia sought him out, and proposed
a new Expedition. Fra. P. gleefully accepted, and on May 6,
having got together his kit, left his home, and sailed for India
on the 12th.
His diary is henceforth barren of all interest to us. We
learn only that the sucCess of his plans was spoilt by a mutiny,
which resulted in the death of four innocent people, and a
good deal of damage to the mutineers, and that in con-
sequence he went off to visit his old friend the Maharaja of
Moharbhanj, and shoot big game. After spending a few days
with this amiable despot, he went off alone into the jungle,
and his thoughts immediately reverted to magic, to the
performance of the Great Work, though not as yet to the
Egyptian revelations. His antipathy to these, with their
irrational instructions, grew and grew. It was only with the
shattering of his reason that he could possibly accept them,
and act on them.
Yet even in this month’s wandering in the jungle we find
little in the diary but the record of exercise of strange magic
powers. We read three or four times that a certain adept
8
 THE TEMPLE OF SOLOMON THE KING
joined him by night in the magical body. And on one
night— ᾽

“Had long colloquy with Golden Hawk; iinvited———(the

Adept) and learnt that the Great Work was to create a new
Universe. Whence severe self-criticism.”
This at the end of his journey. Yet during this journey
we find that he had written down the secrets of the Mystic
Path in a myterious MS., which few indeed have been privi-
leged to see.
In Calcutta he was very busy. He had been attacked by
armed robbers, and, slaying two of them, was, in the then
political condition of Bengal, likely to be offered up as a
scapegoat. Further, his wife and child joined him, and it
seemed most desirable that he should pursue his travels, which
he did.
But of this week one illuminating sentence is preserved.
Fra. P. was driving through Calcutta with Mr. E `

T ,

and complaining to him that the analysis of impressions

showed no connection between them. There was no coherence
in the non-Ego, and so no sanity in the Universe. ᾽

His companion pointed out that the same criticism applied

with equal force to the Ego.
A

This fell on Fra. P. with the force of a thunderbolt. He

had always known this in an intellectual way ; now it stabbed
him to the heart. Through the rest of the drive he sat silent,
and in the bustle of the succeeding days of “Bandobast”
for his newly projected walk through China, this awakening
stood behind his mind, alert and operative.
From Calcutta he proceeded to Rangoon (Nov. 3—6), where
9
 THE EQUINOX
he found his old comrade, I. A., now a member of the Buddhist
Sangha, under the name of Bhikku Ananda Metteya.
It was from him that he received the instructions which
were to help him to reach the great and terrible pinnacle of
the mind whence the Adept must plunge into the Abyss, to
emerge naked, a babe—the Babe of the Abyss.
“Explore the River of the Soul,” said Ananda Metteya,
“whence and in what order you have come.”
For three days—the longest period allowed by the Buddhist
law—he remained in the Choung, meditating on this matter;
but nothing seems to have come of it. He set his teeth and
settled down doggedly to this consideration of the eternal
why. Here is a being in Rangoon. Why? Because he
wanted to see Bhikku A. M. Why? Because . . . and so
on to the half-forgotten past, dark seas that phosphoresced as
the clean keel of his thought divided them.
But, as appears, he was even more absorbed in the question
of the consecution of impressions. Is there any connection
between any two things?
We hear that he left Rangoon for Bhamo by the Irrawaddy
steamer jam on the I 5th. We can almost see him—-—lean,
brown, stern and immobile, watching the wavelets of the great
river, and the flying-fish, and the one thought: Why?
He shut off his reflective faculties, for he saw that there
was nothing to reason about. Phenomena were consecutive,
but not causally connected.1
On the 18th he writes: “About now I may count my
1
This should be studied with chapter VII of T‫ ?!ש‬Star in the West,
and Hume’s “Essay on the Human Understanding,” which he again read on
the I 7th.
IO
 THE TEMPLE OF SOLOMON THE KING
Speculative Criticism of the Reason as not only proved
and understood, but realized”; and on the 19th: “The
misery of this is simply sickening—I can write no
more.” ‫?־‬

There. is, however, an entry of this date in his little MS.

book of vellum: “I realize in myself the perfect impossibility
of reason; suffering great misery. I am as one who should
have plumed himself for years upon the speed and strength of
a favourite horse, only to find not only that its speed and
strength were illusory, but that it was not a real horse at all,
but a clothes-horse. There being no way—no conceivable
way—out of this awful trouble gives that hideous despair
which is only tolerable because in the past it has ever been
the Darkness of the Threshold. But this is far worse than
ever before; for it is not a despair of the Substance, but of
the Form. I wish to go from Α to B ; and I am not only a
cripple, but there is no such thing as space. I have to keep
an appointment at midnight; and not only is my watch
stopped, but there is no such thing as time. I wish to make
a cannon; and not only have I no cue, but there is no such
thing as causality.
᾽

“This I explain to my wife” (!! l—Ed.), “and she, ap-

`

parently inspired, says, ‘Shoot it I’ (I suppose She means the

reason, but, of course, she did not understand a word of what
I had been saying. I only told her for the sake of formulating
my thought clearly in words.) I reply, ‘If I only had a gun.’
This makes me think of Siegfried and the Forging of the
Sword. Can I heat my broken Meditation-Sword in the
furnace of this despair? Is Discipline the Hammer? At
present I am more like Mime than Siegfried; a gibbering
II
 THE EQUINOX
ape-like creature, though without his cunning and his
purpose.
`

“Only, no water’s left to feed its play.”

“Up with it on the tripod! It’s extinct.”
But surely I am not a dead man at thirty! ”
The entry is followed by an undated entry earlier than
the 25th, suggesting a method of “discipline.” But nothing
else.
Indeed, there is absolute silence on all mystic matters
until December 20, over a month later. On that day,
jumping on to his Burmese pony, a few yards after fording
the stream which marks the Chinese frontier, the animal
backed before he was in the saddle, and fell with him over a
cliff of some forty feet in height. “ Neither hurt,” he remarks.
“ Later, kicked on the thigh by a mule.”
It is of no purpose here to deal with Fra. P.’s private
affairs; but one must mention that all this time of interior
insanity he was “playing the man” very vigorously. His
moral force no doubt saved the Europeans of Tengyueh frOm
a panic which might easily have resulted in massacre. After
the death, perhaps by poison, of the Consul, the admirable
and undervalued Litton, he was the only person who kept his
head, and knew how to assert the authority of the white man.
So that we must understand that this “black insanity”
of which Fra. P. speaks was a private little insanity of his
own ; it in no way interfered with the normal working of his
magnificent and heroic brain.
Not to be turned aside from any purpose, however trivial,
once he had formulated it, we find him leaving Tengyueh-Ting
for the wildest mountains and deserts of Western China.
12
 THE TEMPLE OF SOLOMON THE KING
But before this, the Light had begun to break into the ruins
of his mind. On “February 9 he writes: “About this full
moon consciousness began to break through Ruach into
Neschamah ” and two days later: “ Pu Peng to Ying Wa
;.

Kuan. I ‘shoot the Reason’ by going back, though on a

higher plane, to Augoeides (i.e. the Holy Guardian Angel).
Resolve to accomplish a Great Retirement on lines closely
resembling Abra-melin. The ‘note-book and stop-watch
method’ is too much like criticism. Doubt whether I should
actually do Op. or confine myself to Augoeides. Latter easy
to prepare, of course.” And- so on, making a plan.
Now, how did this come about? Not from the meditation
on the Reason, which ended once for all in the Destruction of
that Reason, but by the “Sammasati” meditations on his
Kamma. Baffled again and again, the fall with his horse
supplied the one factor missing in his calculations. He had
repeatedly escaped from death in manners almost miraculous.
“ Then I am some use after all ” was his conclusion. “ I am
!

indeed SENT to do something.” For whom? For the

Universe; no partial good could possibly satisfy his equation.
“I am, then, the ‘chosen Priest and Apostle of Infinite
Space.’ Very good: and what is the message? What shall
I teach men?” And like the lightning from heaven fell
upon him these words: “THE KNOWLEDGE AND CONVERSA-
TION OF THE HOLY GUARDIAN ANGEL.”
Just that. N o metaphysiCal stuff about the “higher self” ;
a thing that the very villagers of Pu Peng could under—
stand. Avoid refinements; leave dialectic to the slaves of
reason. .

His work must, then, be to preach that one method and

.13
 THE EQUINOX
result. And first must he achieve that for himself; for if
the blind lead the blind——
So again we read (in the Diary, this time) on February
11. “Made many resolutions of a G. R. (Great Retirement).
In dream flew to me an Angel, bearing an Ankh, to comfort
me. »

We may now transcribe the Diary. We find the great mind,

the complex man, purged through and through of thought,
stripped of all things human and divine, centred upon one
single Aspiration, as simple as the love of achild for its father.

Feb. 12. Continuing these Resolutions.

,, 13. Continuing these Resolutions. Read through
Goetia, etc., etc. -

,, 14. Thoughts of the Augoeides.

,, 15. Again thoughts of Augoeides. Knowing the In-
vocation (Preliminary Invocation in the Goetia)
by heart, will repeat same daily.
,, 16. A (This cipher means “Invoked Augoeides.”)
,, 17. A though unwell.
,, 18. A though ill.
,, 19. A some Vision with Invocation.
,, 20. A in am. disturbed.
A in p.m. rather good.
(Henceforward he did it twice daily.)
,, 21. A.°. in am. with M C good (Is M
Mystic Circumambulation or Magical Cere-
C.".

mony or—-— ?) in p.m. disturbed by drugs

and diarrhoea. A weird effect.
,, 22. A in p.m. poor (ill).
Ι4
 THE TEMPLE OF SOLOMON THE KING
Feb. 22. Α in p.m. poor (sleepy).
H‘ 23. A .'. in a.m. poor.
A in p.m. rather good.
Η 24. Α in am. pretty good.
A in pm. just on the point of being good.
25. A in am. mediocre.
Qy. Are all these troubles in Yunnan-Pu due
to Abra-melin devils ? I ask the Augoeides for
“a sufficient measure of protection.” Like
an instant answer comes Wilkinson’s letter
setting up things.
’) 26. A. . sleepy (Baby ill). (He had been watching
the child for two days and nights without sleep.)
27. A. .in am. rather good.
A. .in p.m. disturbed.
᾽) 28. A omitted in am. through forgetful folly.
A in p.m. penitent but sleepy.
March I. A . '. penitent and fair.
Good, but should do new Pentagram ritual
before and after to make a Magick Circle.
,, 2. New A .'. very difficult (walking on cobbles).
,, 3. A . '. difficult (walking).
,, 4. A .'. difficult walking and very tired.
(It should be explained that this powerful
magical ceremony had usually to be done under
the most awkward circumstances. He averaged
about ten hours’ walking daily, and had all the
business of camp life to attend to when he got in.
PeOple who complain that they have to go to
the City every day please note.)
Ι5
 THE EQUINOX
5 A '. better but not good.
6. A better.
7 A '. still better.
8 A '. really very good.
Ditto in p.m.
(Smooth sandy road perhaps helped.)
9. A very poor (horseback, slippery wet sand, and
cobbles).
10. A good considering (horseback).
II. A poor (evil thoughts).
12. A unconcentrated.
'13. A.'. literally against my own will. Beneath
contempt. Qy. Effect of ease, etc.
(On the 10th he had arrived at Mengtzu, where
the Collector of Customs kindly received him,
and gave him the first meal and bed he had
had since leaving Tengyueh.)
14. A still very bad—a shade better.
I 5. A still poor. (Rain, wind, horse, mud,
cobbles).
'

16. A . °. a shade better (in chair) (z'. e. his wife’s Sedan

chair).
17. A slowly improving (boat). (By this time they
had got to Manhao, and embarked on the
dangerous rapids of the Red River. He was
nearly drowned, the dug-out twice hitting
rocks.)
,) 18. Arrived at Ho K’ow.
A . '. at night nearly forgotten. Did it in the
open late at night. Rather good.
᾽

16
 THE TEMPLE OF SOLOMON THE KING
March 19. A mediocre (train).
" 20. A a bit better. (He arrived at Hai~Phong.)
H 21. A about the same.
H 22. A bad (sleepy—sea—sick). (He was now on a
tramp steamer packed three-deep with pigs.)
), 23. Α better. (MagnificentFata Morgana.
ping, etc., upside down in air above itself.
Qy. A sign for me P) (This question suggests
that he is getting through the Abyss to that great
obligation of a Master of the Temple, “I will
interpret every phenomenon as a particular
dealing of God with my soul.”) (A night of
shocking and terrible nightmare.)
24. A again a shade better.
25. A good. Vision more convincing.
A still good.
᾽

26.
27. Α poor (heavy sea). (Off Hoi-How.)
28. A .'. again poor (heavy sea).
29. (At Hongkong). A poor (indigestion).
30. A good : very good.
31. A fairly good.
A . '. poor—sleepy.
2. A again poor, in spite of two attempts.
A mediocre (left Hongkong per ss. ‫?!?}טקש‬
Mam). (He had sent his wife and child directly
by steamer to England.)
4. I foolishly and wickedly put off A work all day;
now it is '1 am. of the 5th. By foolish, I mean
contrary to my interest and hope in A
By wicked I mean contrary to my will.
VIII Β
 THE EQUINOX
A goodish: lengthy and reverie-like. Yet
my heart is well. I spake it audibly.
April 5. A vocalized: goodish. (Knocked sideways by
malaria; a sharp attack of shivering.)
” 6. At Shanghai. A very ethereal.
7. Bowled clean over by fever; spent pm. in bed
drunk with Dover’s Powder. Quite sufficiently
ill to excuse slackness: e. g. I could not even read
a light novel.
Η 8. Feeble but convalescent.
A . '. nevertheless pretty good for concentration
and sincerity; not notable for result.
Ι think I had better begin to renounce idle
᾽

things, save where politeness calls, and calls loud.

If I take life too easy, the Great Retirement will
be harder : on the other hand an asceticism to no
instant purpose may exhaust me for the struggle
when it comes. One of those rare cases where
a “ golden mean” looks well.
9. A at night good: considerable strain in ether.
(It is here fitting to mention Fra. P.’s idea of
performing this “Preliminary Invocation ” of
the Goetia.)
The preamble he makes a general concentra-
tion of all his magical forces, and a declaration
of his will.
The Ar Thiao section. He travels to the
infinite East among the hosts of angels sum-
moned by the words. A sort of “Rising on the
Planes,” but in a horizontal direction.
18
Other documents randomly have
different content
 Fig. 266.—Collecting Stick, Bottle, Hook, and Net.

The Thames mud always furnishes a number of beautiful forms of

triceratum. Lower down the river, as brackish water is reached,
greater varieties of diatoms appear. But to secure them the collector
must be provided with a collecting stick. A convenient form is
furnished by Messrs. Baker (Fig. 266). This consists of an ordinary
walking-stick, together with a lengthening rod, a cutting hook to
clear away weeds, ringed bottles with screw tops, and a net with a
glass tube attached. Their uses are too obvious to need further
description.

The siliceous skeletons of diatoms are met with in the fossil state.
Among the first discovered of the infusorial strata were the polishing
slates of Bilin and Tripoli, the berg-mehl or mountain meal, the
entire mass of which is composed of the siliceous skeletons of
different species of diatoms. Richmond, Virginia, is rich in the same
organisms, while the great mass of our chalk cliffs are composed of
foraminiferous shells, xanthidiæ, &c. One remarkable fact in
connection with fossil infusoria is that most of the forms are still
found in the recent state. The beautiful engine-turned discs,
Coscinodisci, so abundant in the Richmond earth, may be met with
in our own seas, and in great profusion in the deposits of guano on
the African and American coasts, and in the stomachs of the oyster,
scallop, and other salt-water molluscous animals common to our
shores.

A great number of infusorial earths may be mounted as dry objects,

while others require careful washing and digesting in appropriate
media. The finer portions of the sediments will be found to contain
the better and more perfect siliceous shells.

Preparing and Mounting Apparatus.

Fig. 267.—Mounting Apparatus.

1.—Ross’s instrument for cutting thin covering-glass for objects.

This apparatus consists of a bent arm supporting the cutting
portion of this apparatus, which consists of a vertical rod with a soft
cork at one end. A brass arm at right angles carries the diamond
parallel with and close to the main rod.

2.—Covering-glass measurer. To measure the thickness of covering-

glass, place it between the brass plate and the steel bearing; the
long end of the lever will then indicate the thickness on the scale,
to 1⁄50-th, 1⁄100-th, or 1⁄1000-th inch.

3.—Brass table on folding legs, with lamp for mounting objects.

4.—Whirling table with eccentric adjustment for making cells and
finishing off slides.

5.—Air-pump with glass receiver, 3½-inch brass plate for mounting

objects and withdrawing air-bubbles.

6.—Improved table with knife for cutting soft sections. This consists
of an absolutely flat brass table, with a square hole to receive the
wood, or other matter, on a movable screw, which adjusts the
thickness of the section.

7.—Smith’s holder with spring and screw for adjusting pressure

when mounting objects.

8.—Cutting diamonds for cell-making and cutting slips of glass.

9.—Writing diamonds for cutting thin covering-glass and naming

objects.

10.—Page’s wooden forceps, for holding glass slips or objects when

heated, during mounting.
PART II.
 CHAPTER I.

Microscopic Forms of Life—Thallophytes—

Pteridophyta, Phanerogamæ—Structure and
Properties of the Cell.
The time has long since passed by since the value of the microscope
as an instrument of scientific research might have been called in
question. By its aid the foundation of mycology has been securely
laid, and cryptogamic botany in particular has, during the last
quarter of a century, made surprising progress in the hands of those
devoted to pursuits which confer benefits upon mankind.

Little more than thirty years ago practically nothing was known of
the life history of a fungus, nothing of parasitism, of infectious
diseases, or even of fermentation. Our knowledge of the physiology
of nutrition was in its infancy; even the significance of starches and
sugars in the green plant was as yet not understood, while a number
of the most important facts relating to plants and the physiology of
animals were unknown and undiscovered. When we reflect on these
matters, and remember that bacteria were regarded merely as
curious animalculæ, that rusts and smuts were supposed to be
emanations of diseased states, and that spontaneous generation
still-survived among us, some idea may be formed of the condition
of cryptogamic botany and the lower forms of animal life some eight
or ten years after my book on the microscope made its first
appearance (1854).
Indeed, long prior to this time, dating from that of even the earliest
workers with the microscope, it was known that the water of pools
and ditches, and especially infusions of plants and animals of all
kinds, teem with living organisms, but it was not recognised
definitely that vast numbers of these microscopic living beings (and
even actively moving ones) are plants, growing on and in the various
solid and liquid matters examined, and as truly as visible and
accepted plants grow on soil and in the air and water. Perhaps the
most important discovery in the history of cryptogamic botany was
initiated here. The change, then, that has come over our knowledge
of microscopic plant life during this last busy quarter of a century
has been almost entirely due to the initiation and improvement, first
in methods of growing them, and in the methods of “Microscopic
Gardening”; and secondly, to the greater knowledge gained in the
use of the microscope.

“If we look at the great groups of plants from a broad point of view,
it is remarkable that the fungi and the phanerogams occupy
attention on quite other grounds than do the algæ, mosses, and
ferns. Algæ are especially a physiologist’s group, employed in
questions on nutrition, reproduction, and cell division and growth;
the Bryophyta and Pteridophyta are, on the other hand, the domain
of the morphologist. Fungi and Phanerogams, while equally or even
more employed by specialists in morphology and physiology, appeal
widely to general interest on the ground of utility.

“It is very significant that a group like the fungi should have
attracted so much scientific attention, and aroused so general an
interest at the same time. But the fact that fungi affect our lives
directly has been driven home; and whether as poisons or foods,
destructive moulds or fermentation agents, parasitic mildews or
disease germs, they occupy more interest than all other cryptogams
put together, the flowering plants alone rivalling them in this respect.
A marked feature of the period in which we live will be the great
advances made in our knowledge of the uses of plants, for, of
course, this development of economic botany has gone hand in hand
with the progress of geological botany, the extension of our planting,
and the useful applications of botany to the processes of home
industries.”49

The intimate organic structure of the vegetable world is seen to

consist of a variety of different materials indeterminable by
unassisted vision, and for the most part requiring high magnification
for their discrimination. Chemical analysis had, however, shown that
vegetables are composed of a few simple substances, water,
carbonic acid gas, oxygen, nitric acid, and a small portion of
inorganic salts. Out of these simple elements the whole of the
immense variety of substances produced by the vegetable kingdom
are constructed. No part of the plant contains fewer than three of
these universally distributed elements, hence the greater uniformity
in their chemical constituents. It will be seen, then, that the methods
of plant chemistry are of supreme interest both to the chemist and
the physiologist, or biologist. Plants, while they borrow materials
from the inorganic, and powers from the physical world, whereby
they are enabled to pass through the several stages of germination,
growth, and reproduction, could not accomplish these
transformations without the all-important aid of light and heat, the
combined functions of which are indispensable to the perfect
development of the vegetable world.

Light, then, enables plants to decompose, change into living matter,

and consolidate, the inorganic elements of carbonic acid gas, water,
and ammonia, which are absorbed by the leaves and roots from the
atmosphere and earth; the quantity of carbon consolidated being
exactly in proportion to the intensity of the light. Nevertheless, light
in its chemical character is a deoxidising agent, by which the
numerous neutral compounds common to vegetables are formed. It
is the principal agent in preparing the food of plants, and it is during
the chemical changes spoken of that the specific heat of plants is
slowly evolved, which, though generally feeble, is sometimes very
sensibly evolved, especially so when flowers and fruits are forming,
on account of the increase of chemical energy at this period.
The action of heat is measurable throughout the whole course of
vegetable life, although its manifestations take on various forms—
those suited to the period and circumstances of growth. Upon the
heat generated depends the formation of protein and nitrogenous
substances, which abound more directly in the seed buds, the points
of the roots, and in all those organs of plants which are in the
greatest state of activity. The whole chemistry of plant life, in fact, is
manifest in this production of energy for drawing material from its
surroundings; therefore the organising power of plants bears a direct
ratio to the amount of light and heat acting upon them.

The living medium, then, which possesses the marvellous property

of being primarily aroused into life and energy, and which either
forms the whole or the greater portion of every plant, is in its
earliest and simplest form nothing more than a microscopic cell,
consisting of one or two colourless particles of matter, in closest
contact, and wholly immersed in a transparent substance somewhat
resembling albumen (white of egg), termed protoplasm, but differing
essentially in its character and properties. This nearly colourless
organisable matter is the life-blood of the cell. It is sufficiently viscid
to maintain its globular form, and under high powers is seen to have
a slightly consolidated film enclosing semi-transparent particles,
together with vacuoles which are of a highly refractive nature. These
small bodies are termed nuclei, and they appear to be furnished with
an extremely delicate enveloping film. In a short time the nuclei
increase in number and split up the parent body. The protoplasmic
mass, however, is undoubtedly the true formative material, and is
rightly regarded as “the physical basis of life” of both the vegetable
and animal kingdoms.

There are, however, certain members of the vegetable kingdom

which somewhat resemble animals in their dependence upon
receiving organic compounds already formed for them, being
themselves unable to effect the fixation of the carbon needed to
effect the first stage in their after chemical transformations. Such is
the case with a large class of flowering plants, among Phanerogams,
and the leafless parasites which draw their support chiefly from the
tissues of their hosts. It is likewise the case with regard to the whole
group of fungi; the lower cryptogams, which derive the greater
portion of their nutritive materials from organic matter undergoing
some form of histolysis; while others belonging to this group have
the power of originating decomposition by a fermentative (zymotic)
action peculiarly their own. There are many other protophytes which
live by absorption, and which appear to take in no solid matter, but
draw nourishment from the atmosphere or the water in which they
exist.

With regard to motion, this was at one time considered the

distinctive attribute of animal life, but many protophytes possess a
spontaneity of power and motion, while others are furnished with
curious motile organs termed cilia, or whip-like appendages, flagella,
by which their bodies are propelled with considerable force through
the water in which they live.

Henceforth this protoplasmic substance was destined to take an

important position in the physiological world. It is, then, desirable to
enter somewhat more fully into the life history of so remarkable a
body. It has a limiting membrane, composed of a substance
somewhat allied to starch, termed cellulose, one of the group of
compounds known as carbo-hydrates. The mode of formation and
growth of this cell wall is not yet definitely determined; nevertheless,
it is the universal framework or skeleton of the vegetable world,
although it appears to play no special part in their vital functions. It
merely serves the purpose of a protecting membrane to the globular
body called the “primordial cell,” which permanently constitutes the
living principle upon which the whole fundamental phenomena of
growth and reproduction depend.

Sometimes this protoplasmic material is seen to constitute the whole

plant; and so with regard to the simplest known forms of animal life
—the amœba, for example. That so simple and minute an organism
should be capable of independent motion is indeed surprising.
Dujardin, a French physiologist, termed this animated matter
sarcode. On a closer study of the numerous forms of animal life it
was found that all were alike composed of this sarcode substance,
some apparently not having a cell wall. The same seemed to hold
good of certain higher forms of cells, the colourless blood corpuscles
for instance, which under high powers of the microscope are seen to
change their shape, moving about by the streaming out of this
sarcode. At length the truth dawned on histologists that the cell
contents, rather than the closing wall, must be the essential
structure. On further investigation it became apparent that a far
closer similarity existed between vegetables and animals than was
before supposed. Ultimately it was made clear that the vegetable
protoplasm and the animal sarcode were one and the same
structure. Max Schultz found this to be the case, and to all intents
and purposes they are identical.

We have now to retrace our steps and look somewhat more closely
into the discovery of that important body, the cell-nucleus. It was an
English botanist, Dr. Robert Brown, who, in 1833, during his
microscopical studies of the epidermis of orchids, discovered in their
cells “an opaque spot,” to which soon afterwards he gave the name
of nucleus. Schleiden and Schwann’s later researches led them to
the conclusion that the nucleus is the most characteristic formative
element in all vegetable and animal tissues in the incipient phase of
existence. It then began to be taught that there is one universal
principle of development for the elementary parts of all organisms,
however different, and that is the formation of cells. Thus was
enunciated a doctrine which was for all practical purposes absolutely
new, and which opened out a wide field of further investigation for
the physiologist, and led up to a fuller knowledge of the cell
contents. In fact, it became a question as to whether the cell
contents rather than the enclosing wall should not be considered the
basis of life, since the cell at this time had by no means lost its
importance, although it no longer signified the minute cavity it did
when originally discovered by Schwann. It now implied, as Schultz
defined it, “a small mass of viscid matter, protoplasm, endowed with
the attributes of life.” The nucleus was once more restored to its
original importance, and with even greater significance. In place of
being a structure generated de novo from non-cellular substance,
and disappearing as soon as its function of cell formation is
accomplished, the nucleus is now known as the central permanent
feature of every cell, and indestructible while the cell lives, and the
parent, by division of its substance, of other generations of nuclei
and cells. The word cell has at the same time received its final
definition as “a small mass of protoplasm supplied with a nucleus.”
In short, all the activities of plant and animal life are really the
product of energy liberated solely through histolysis, or destructive
processes, amounting to the combustion that takes place in the
ultimate cells of the organisms.

But there are other points of especial interest involved in the

question of cell formation beside those already mentioned.

The cell and its contents collectively are termed the endoplasm, or
when coloured, as in algæ, endochrome. With regard to the outer
layer of the cell and its growth nothing satisfactory has been clearly
determined and finally accepted.

The cell as a whole is a protoplasmic mass, and not an emulsion, as

some observers would have us suppose. It is, in fact, a reticulated
tissue of the most delicate structure, made up of canaliculate spiral
fibrils with hyaline walls capable of expansion and contraction. These
fibrils are probably composed of still finer spirals. The visible
granulated portion of the protoplasm, the only part that takes a stain
under ordinary circumstances, is simply the contents of these canals.
It is the chromatin of Flemming, and is capable of motion within the
canals. The nucleus, then, is probably nothing more than a granule
of the extra-cellular net, and is formed by the junction of the several
bands of wall-threads which traverse it in different directions. The
cell wall of plants possesses the same structure as protoplasm, and
is probably protoplasm impregnated by cellulose.
It is this portion of the protoplasmic mass that is now recognised
under the term octoplasm, or primordial utricle, and is of so fine and
delicate a nature that it is only brought into view when separated
from the cell wall either by further developmental changes, or by
reagents and certain stains or dyes. It was, in fact, discovered to be
a slightly condensed portion of the protoplasmic layer corresponding
to the octosare of the lower forms of animal life. The octoplasm and
cell wall can only be distinguished from each other by chemical
tests. Both nucleus and nucleoli are only rendered visible in the
same way, that is, by staining for several hours in a carmine
solution, and washing in a weak acetic acid solution.

With the enlargement of the cell by the imbibition of water, clear

spaces, termed vacuoles, are seen to occupy a small portion of the
cell, while the nucleus and nucleoli lie close to the parietal layer.

The interesting phenomenon of cyclosis, to which I shall have

occasion to refer further on, is now believed to be due to the
contractility of certain wall-threads stretching from the nucleus to
the outermost layers of the cell. An intimate relationship is thereby
established between the nucleus, the nucleolus, and the parietal
layer. This much has been made clear by the more scientific methods
of investigation pursued in the use of the microscope. Nevertheless a
large and important class of cells, forming a kind of borderland
between the vegetable and animal kingdoms, still remains to be
dealt with, in which the cell contents are only imperfectly
differentiated, while numerous other unicellular organisms, owing to
their extreme minuteness, tenuity, and want of all colour, are
apparently devoid of any nucleus, and when present can only be
differentiated by a resort to a specially conducted method of
preparation and staining. There is, however, a remarkable feature in
connection with many micro-organisms—that certain of these
protophytes possess motive organs, cilia or flagella, bodies at one
time supposed to be characteristic of, and belonging to, the
protozoa.
This being the case, the methods of plant chemistry are of supreme
interest, the more so because physiologists are in a position to
isolate a single bacterial cell, grow it in certain media, and thus
devote special attention to it, and keep it for some time under
observation. In this way it has become possible to further grasp facts
in connection with cell nutrition and the nature of its waste products.
We have, then, arrived at a stage when the history of the chemical
changes brought about by bacteria can be more definitely
determined, as we have here to do with the vegetable cell in its
simplest form. The chemical work performed by these micro-
organisms has as yet occupied only a few years; nevertheless, the
results have been of the most remarkable and encouraging
character.

At an earlier period an interesting discovery in connection with the

pathogenic action of these bodies was, by the labours of Schöenlein,
Robin, and others, brought to the notice of the medical profession,
viz., that certain diseases affecting the human body were due to
vegetable parasites. In 1856 an opportunity offered itself for a
thorough investigation, and the microscopical part of the work fell
into my hands, with the result that I was able to add considerably to
Schöenlein’s list of parasitic skin diseases. My observations were in
the first instance communicated to the medical journals. But the
generalisation arrived at was that “If there be any exceptions to the
law that parasites select for their sustenance the subjects of debility
and decay, such exceptions are rarely to be found among the
vegetations belonging to fungi, which invariably derive nutrition from
matter in a state of lowered vitality, passing into degeneration, or
wherein decomposition has already taken place to a certain extent....
It scarcely admits of a doubt that all diseases observed of late years
among plants have been due to parasites of the same class favoured
by want of vigour of growth and atmospheric conditions, and that
the cause of the various murrains of which so much has been heard
is also due to similar causes.”50
Herein, then, is to be found the solution of a difficulty that so long
surrounded the question, but which subsequently culminated in the
specialisation and scientific development of bacteriology, due to the
unceasing labours of Pasteur, whose solid genius enabled him to
overcome the prejudices of those who were at work on other lines,
and who had no conception of the functions that parasitic organisms
fulfil in nature.

Going back to my earlier experimental researches to determine the

part taken by saccharomycetes and saprophytes in fermentation, I
find, from correspondence in my possession, that in 1859 I
demonstrated to the satisfaction of Dr. Bell, F.R.S., the then head of
the chemical laboratory of Somerset House, that a very small portion
of putrefactive matter taken from an animal body, a parasitic fungus
(Achorion Schöenleinii), a mould (Aspergillus or Penicillium), and a
yeast (Torula cerevisiæ) would in a short time, and indifferently, set
up a ferment in sweet-wort and transform its saccharine elements
into alcohol, differing only in degree (quantitative), and not in kind
or quality. This, then, was the first step in the direction towards
proving symbiotic action between these several parasitic organisms.
The only apparent difference observed during the fermentative
processes was that putrefactive (saprophytic) action commenced at
a somewhat earlier stage, and that the percentage of alcohol was
also somewhat less.51

In 1856, also, the ærobic bacteria attracted my attention, and,

together with the late Rev. Lord Sidney Godolphin Osborne, I
exposed plates of glass (microscopical slides), covered with glycerine
and grape sugar, in every conceivable place where we thought it
possible to arrest micro-organisms. The result is known, viz., that
fungoid bodies (moulds and bacterial) were taken in great numbers,
and varying with the seasons. The air of the hospital and sick-room
likewise engaged attention, each of which proved especially rich in
parasitic bodies. During the cholera visitation of 1858 the air was
rich in ærobic and anærobic bacteria, while a blue mist which
prevailed throughout the epidemic yielded a far greater number than
at any former period (represented in Plate I., No. 13). This blue mist
attracted the especial attention of meteorologists. At a somewhat
later period a more remarkable fungoid disease, the fungus foot of
India, mycetoma, came under my observation, a detailed description
of which I contributed to the medical journals, and also, with further
details, to the “Monthly Microscopical Journal” of 1871. Interlacing
mycelia, ending in hyphæ, in this destructive form of parasitic
disease were seen to pervade the whole of the tissues of the foot,
the bony structures being involved, and it was only possible to stay
the action of the parasite by amputation.

So far, then, the study of parasitic organisms had at an early period

shared largely in my microscopical work, extending over several
years, and with the result that these micro-organisms were found to
exhibit on occasions great diversity of character, and that different
members of the bacteria in particular flourish under great diversity
of action, and often under entirely opposite conditions; that they
feed upon wholly different materials, and perform an immense
variety of chemical work in the media in which they live.

The study of the chemistry (chemotaxis) of bacteria has, however,

greatly enlarged our conception of the chemical value and power of
the vegetable cell, while it is obvious that no more appropriate or
remunerative field of study could engage the attention of the
microscopist, as well as the chemist, than that of bacterial life, and
which is so well calculated to enlarge our views of created
organisms, whether belonging to the vegetable or animal kingdom.

Pathogenic Fungi and Moulds.

It is scarcely necessary to go back to the history of the parasitic
fungi to which diseases of various kinds were early attributable. The
rude microscopes of two and a half centuries ago revealed the
simple fact that all decomposable substances swarmed with
countless multitudes of organisms, invisible to ordinary vision.
Leuwenhoek, the father of microscopy, and whose researches were
generally known and accepted in 1675, tells of his discovery of
extremely minute organisms in rain-water, in vegetable infusions, in
saliva, and in scrapings from the teeth; further, he differentiated
these living organisms by their size and form, and illustrated them
by means of woodcuts; and there can be no doubt that his figures
are intended to represent leptothrix filaments, vibrios, and spirilla. In
other of his writings attempts are made to give an idea of the size of
these “animalcules”; he described them as a thousand times smaller
than a grain of sand. From his investigations a belief sprung up that
malaria was produced by “animalcules,” and that the plague which
visited Toulon and Marseilles in 1721 arose from a similar cause.
Somewhat later on the natural history of micro-organisms was more
diligently studied, and with increasing interest. Müller, in 1786,
pointed out that they had been too much given to occupy
themselves in finding new organisms, he therefore devoted himself
to the study of their forms and biological characters, and it was on
such data he based a classification. Thus the scientific knowledge
gained of these minute bodies was considerably advanced, and the
subject now entered upon a new phase: the origin of micro-
organisms. It further resolved itself into two rival theories—
spontaneous generation, and development from pre-existing germs
—the discussion over which lasted more than a century. Indeed, it
only ended in 1871, when the originator of the Abiogenesis theory
withdrew from the contest, and the more scientific investigations of
Pasteur (1861) found general acceptance. This indefatigable worker
had been investigating fermentation, and studying the so-called
diseases of wines and a contagious disease which was committing
ravages among silkworms. Pasteur in time was able to confirm the
belief that the “muscadine disease” of silkworms was due to the
presence of micro-organisms, discernible only by the microscope.
The oval, shining bodies in the moth, worm, and eggs had been
previously observed and described by Nägeli and others, but it was
reserved for Pasteur to show that when a silkworm whose body
contained these organisms was pounded up in a mortar with water,
and painted over the leaves of the tree upon which healthy worms
were fed, all took the disease and died.

PLATE IX.

AFTER DR CROOKSHANK J. T. Balcomb. del.

TYPICAL FORMS OF BACTERIA, SCHIZOMYCETES, OR FISSION-

FUNGI.

As the contagious particles were transmitted to the eggs, the

method adopted for preventing the spread of the disease was as
follows:—Each female moth was kept separate from the others, and
allowed to deposit her eggs, and after death her body was crushed
up in a mortar as before, and a drop of the fluid examined under the
microscope. When any trace of muscadine was found present, the
whole of the eggs and body were burnt. In this way the disease was
combated, and ultimately stamped out.

Pasteur also pointed out that one form or cause of disease must not
be confounded with another. For example, muscadine, a true fungus
(Botrytis bassiana), should not be confounded with another disease
known to attack silkworms, termed pebrin, this being caused by a
bacterium, and, according to the more recent researches of Balbiani,
by a Psorospermia. Botrytis is a true mould, belonging to the
Oomycetes, and allied to the potato fungus, Peronospora. It is
propagated by spores, which, falling on a silkworm, germinate and
penetrate its body. A mycelium is then developed, which spreads
throughout the body. Hyphæ appear through the skin, and bear
white chalky-looking spores; these become detached, and float in
the air as an impalpable dust-like smoke. Damp further develops the
fungus.

Insects suffer much from the ravages of fungi. The house-fly sticking
to the window-pane is seen to be surrounded by the mycelia of
Penicillium racemosum (Sporendonema muscæ, or Saprolegnia
feræ). In other cases Cordiceps attacks certain caterpillars belonging
to the genera Cossus and Hepialus when they are buried in the sand
and before their metamorphosis into chrysalides; they are killed by
the rapid development of hyphæ and mycelium in their tissues.

Sphæria miletaris, a parasite of Bombyx pilyocarpa, the caterpillar of

which is found on pine-trees, is one of the few fungi which may be
regarded as beneficial to man, since it aids in the destruction of
multitudes of these caterpillars, which otherwise would devour the
young shoots and pine needles. Giard specialises other parasites of
insects, which he terms Entomophoreæ. Others, E. rimosa, attack
grasshoppers and the diptera, enveloping them in a dense coating of
mycelium and spores, which speedily kills the victim.
The study, then, of the life-history of germs, microbes, micro-
organisms, or bacteria (as they are indifferently termed), opened up
a new science, that of Bacteriology. By the more recent advances in
this science we are enabled to understand the very important part
these minute organisms fill in the great scheme of Nature, for almost
exclusively by their agency the soil is supplied with the requisite
nutritive material for plant life. And, as already pointed out,
wherever organic matter is present—that is, the dead and useless
substances which are the refuse of life—such material is promptly
seized upon by micro-organisms, by means of which histolysis is
rapidly accomplished.

Bacteria require a power of from 600 to 1,000 diameters or more for

the determination of the species to which they belong. The number
of species has been so much increased of late that a bulky volume is
found to be insufficient for their enumeration. I am, however, by the
courtesy of Professor Crookshank, enabled to present my readers
with the typical forms of thirty-nine species of Bacteria,
Schizomycetes, or fission-fungi, a selection, it will be seen, chiefly
taken from among pathogenic organisms—those believed to
originate disease. But many of the supposed Saprophytic forms often
described as originating disease are merely accidental associates,
that is, living in companionship for a time.

Size.—In ordinary terms of measurement, bacteria are on an

average from 1⁄25000th to about 1⁄5000th of an inch long. These
measurements do not convey a definite impression to the mind. It is
calculated that a thousand million of them could be contained in a
space of 1⁄25th of an inch. The best impression of the size of the
bacteria is, perhaps, obtained when it is stated that a 1⁄25-inch
immersion objective gives a magnification of nearly 2,200 diameters,
and that under this power the bacteria appear to be about the size
of very small print. The standard of measurement accepted by
bacteriologists is the micro-millimeter. One millimeter is equal to
about 1⁄25000th an English inch. The number of micrococci in a
milligramme of a culture of Staphylococcus pyogenes aurens has
been estimated by Bujwid by counting at eight thousand millions.
Not only do various species differ in dimensions, but considerable
differences may be noted in a pure culture of the same species. On
the other hand, there are numerous species which so closely
resemble each other in size and shape that they cannot be
differentiated by microscopic examination alone, and we have to
look to other characteristics, as colour, growth in various culture
media, pathogenic power, chemical products, &c., in order to decide
the question of identity.

Reproduction.—The reproduction of bacteria takes place for the most

part by fission and by spore formation. Fission is a process of
splitting up or division, whereby an organism divides into two or
more parts, each of which lives and divides in its turn. If certain
organisms are watched under the microscope, a coccus or bacillus
will be seen to elongate and at the same time become narrower,
until its two halves become free, the two individual organisms again
dividing and subdividing in their turn. This kind of reproduction is
more readily seen in a higher class of unicellular organisms, the
desmids. If, however, the new organisms do not break away from
each other, but remain connected in groups or clusters, they are
termed Staphylococci; if they remain connected in the form of a
chain, or like a string of beads, they are termed Streptococci. If the
division takes place in one plane, Diplococci are formed; if in two
directions Tetracocci, or Tablet-cocci, are formed. On account of this
multiplication by fission, the generic name of Schizomycetes, or
fission-fungi, has been given to bacteria.

Spores.—A second method by which bacteria propagate is by spores.

These bodies are distinguished by their remarkable power of
resistance to the influence of temperature and the action of chemical
reagents. Some of them will resist their immersion in strong acid
solutions for many hours; also freezing and very high temperatures.
Spore formation may take place in two ways: firstly, by “endogenous
spores” (internal spores); secondly, by “arthrospores.”
Endogenous Spores.—When the formation of the spores takes place
in the mother-cell, the protoplasm is seen to contract, giving rise to
one or more highly refractive bodies, which are the spores. The
enclosing membrane of the organism then breaks away, leaving the
spores free.

Arthrospores.—When the spore is not formed in the parent bacillus,

but when entire cells (owing to lack of favourable conditions of
growth) become converted into spores, the formation is known as
“arthrogenous,” the single individual being called an arthrospore.
When the conditions are again favourable, spores germinate, giving
rise to new bacilli. The germinating spore becomes elongated, and
loses its bright appearance, the outer membrane becomes ruptured,
and the young bacillus is set free. Certain conditions, such as the
presence of oxygen in the case of the anthrax bacillus, give rise to
the formation of spores; while various kinds of bacteria secure
continuous existence by developing spores when there is lack of
proper food material.

With reference to the incredible rapidity with which the bacteria

multiply under conditions favourable to the growth and
development, Cohn writes as follows:—“Let us assume that a
microbe divides into two within an hour, then again into eight in the
third hour, and so on. The number of microbes thus produced in
twenty-four hours would exceed sixteen and a half millions; in two
days they would increase to forty-seven trillions; and in a week the
number expressing them would be made up of fifty-one figures. At
the end of twenty-four hours the microbes descended from a single
individual would occupy 1⁄40th of a hollow cube, with edges 1⁄25th of
an inch long, but at the end of the following day would fill a space of
twenty-seven cubic inches, and in less than five days their volume
would equal that of the entire ocean.”

Again, Cohn estimated that a single bacillus weighs about

0·000,000,000,024,243,672 of a grain; forty thousand millions, 1
grain; 289 billions, 1 pound. After twenty-four hours the
descendants from a single bacillus would weigh 1⁄2666th of a grain;
after two days, over a pound; after three days, sixteen and a half
million pounds, or 7,366 tons. It is quite unneccessary to state that
these figures are purely theoretical, and could only be realised if
there were no impediment to such rapid increase.

Fortunately, however, various checks, such as lack of food and

unfavourable physical conditions, intervene to prevent
unmanageable multiplication of these bodies.

These figures show, however, what a tremendous vital activity

micro-organisms do possess, and it will be seen later at what great
speed they increase in water, milk, broth, and other suitable media.

The following bacilli, among others, have numerous flagella

distributed over the whole of the organism: the bacillus of blue milk
(Bacillus cyanogenus)52; the bacillus of malignant œdema; the hay
bacillus (Bacillus subtilis); Proteus vulgaris, &c.

The following have only one or two flagella at the poles: the Bacillus
pyocyaneus, the Spirillum finkleri, the Spirillum choleræ Asiaticæ,
&c.

The Spirillum undala, Spirillum rubrum, Spirillum concentricum, and

Sarcinæ, pocket-cocci, have several flagella.

Micrococcus agilis have also several flagella; these possibly arise

from one point. As I have already pointed out, the classification of
the bacteria is one of great difficulty, since new kinds are being
constantly discovered, and at present any attempt made in this
direction can only be considered as quite of a provisional nature.

The difficulties which stand in the way may be surmised from the
fact that Sarcinæ, pocket-cocci, were originally believed to be a
single species, described by me, under the name of Sarcina
ventriculi, in the fourth edition of my book, “as remarkable bodies
invading the human and animal stomach, and seriously interfering
with its functions.”

The original woodcut of these curious

parasites is reproduced in Fig. 268,
also in Plate IX., No. 7, and which
evidently belong to a different species,
numbering thirty-nine altogether. Quite
recently Mr. G. H. Broadbent, M.R.C.S.,
Fig. 268.—Sarcinæ. Manchester, sent me a supply of these
interesting bodies lately discovered by
him in an infusion of cow manure. On examining a drop with a
power of 1500 diameters they were discovered moving over the field
of the microscope with a gyrating motion by the aid of flagella
projecting from each corner of the pocket. After some days, having
attained their full growth of four, eight or sixteen in a pocket, they
break up, and recommence the formative process. Sarcinæ are
certainly pathogenic in their nature. Cocci in groups, or asso-cocci,
are similarly associated. These several forms of spiro-bacteria are
enclosed in a transparent cell-wall, and are sometimes described as
zooglæa.

Of bacteria the most characteristic groups are bacillus, bacterium,

and a species of clostridium, a bottle-shaped bacillus. It is, however,
difficult to draw a sharp line between so-called species.

Spiro-bacteria, or spirilla, possess short or long filaments, rigid or

flexible, and their movements are accordingly rotatory, or in the long
axis of the filaments. These bodies are again divided into comma
bacilli, or vibrios—a name invented by the older microscopists who
first described them—some species of which have a flagellate
appendage, to which their movements are due.

Anthrax, Splenic Fever, has been long known to be prevalent

among cattle at certain seasons of the year, and is believed to
originate from peculiar conditions of climate and soil. This view of
splenic fever on microscopical examination proved an entire fallacy.
Bollinger in 1872 discovered that the blood of the affected animal
was still virulent after death, owing to the presence of the spores of
the bacillus, and that the soil also became infected and impregnated
by the disease germs wherever the fever first broke out. In 1877 Dr.
Koch made a more careful investigation into the source of the
disease, and was able to give a complete demonstration of the life-
history of the splenic fever bacillus, and to offer definite proofs of its
pathogenic properties. He pointed out that the rods grew in the
blood and tissues by lengthening and by cross division. Further, that
they not only grew into long leptothrix filaments but they produced
enormous numbers of seeds or spores. He watched the fusion of the
rods to the formation of spores and the sprouting of fresh rods. He
furthermore inoculated a mouse, watched the effect through several
generations, and fully demonstrated that in the blood and swollen
spleen of the animal the same rods were always present. Pasteur
and Paul Bret pursued the same course of investigations, which were
always followed with precisely similar results. It was, however,
principally due to the researches of Koch that the doctrine of
contagium vivum was placed on a scientific basis.

Subsequently Koch formulated methods of cultivation, and dictated

the microscopical apparatus needful. Furthermore, he furnished
postulates for proving beyond doubt the existence of specific
pathogenic micro-organisms.

“The chain of evidence regarded by Dr. Koch as essential for proving

the existence of a pathogenic organism is as follows:—1. The micro-
organism must be found in the blood, lymph, or diseased tissue of
man or animal suffering from, or dead of the disease. 2. The micro-
organism must be isolated from the blood or tissue, and cultivated in
suitable media—i.e., outside the animal body. These pure
cultivations must be carried on through successive generations of
the organism. 3. Pure cultivation thus obtained must, when
introduced into the body of a healthy animal, produce the disease in
question. 4. In the inoculated animal the same micro-organism must
again be found. The chain of evidence will be still more complete if,
from artificial culture, a chemical substance is obtained capable of
producing the disease quite independently of the living organism. It
is not enough to merely detect, or even artificially cultivate, a
bacterium associated with disease. An endeavour must be made to
establish the exact relationship of the bacteria to disease processes.
In many instances disease bacteria regarded as the actual contagia
have been found, on a further searching inquiry, to be entirely
misleading. It is almost needless to remind the enthusiast that the
actual contagion of the disease must be fully demonstrated.”
Fig. 269.—Micro-Photograph of Typhoid Fever Bacteria. Magnified
1000 ×. Taken by Leitz’s oil immersion 1⁄12-inch ocular No. 4, and
sunlight exposure of one minute.

Typhoid Bacillus (Fig. 269).—Rods 1 to 3µ in length, and ·5 to ·8µ in

breadth, and threads. Spore-formation has not been observed, but
the protoplasm may be broken up, producing appearances which
may be mistaken for spores. Actively motile, provided, some with a
single and others with very numerous flagella, which are from three
to five times as long as the bacillus itself. They stain readily in
aqueous solutions of aniline dyes; and grow rapidly at a temperature
of about 60° Fahr. In plate cultivations minute colonies are visible in
thirty-six to forty-eight hours; they are circular or oval, with an
irregular margin. On agar they form a whitish transparent layer, and
they flourish in milk.
 Fig. 270.—Plague Bacillus, Bombay, 1897. Magnified 1200 ×.

The Plague (Pestis Bacillus).—The Bombay plague of 1897-98 will

ever be remembered as one of the most appalling visitations ever
known. The number of deaths will never be accurately determined,
as the native population, among whom the disease chiefly prevailed
and became so fatal, concealed their dead or carried them away by
night. The outbreak from the first proved to be most infectious, its
incubation lasting from a few hours to a week only. It prevailed in all
the over-crowded native quarters of the city. The rats and mice that
infested the dwellings of the poor were found to be equally
susceptible with human beings, and these vermin also died by
hundreds. Those that survived left their holes and made off, in this
way helping to spread the infective virus. On examining the bodies
of dead rats, they were found to have swollen legs, the blood being
filled by bacilli and curious monads, with whip-like appendages. The
bacillus of plague was discovered by Kitasato in 1894; it is
characterised by short rods with rounded ends, and a clear space in
the middle. The bacilli stain readily with aniline dyes, and when
cultivated on agar, white transparent colonies are formed which
present an iridescent appearance when examined by reflected light.
In addition to the bubonic swellings, the neighbouring lymphatic
glands were also swollen and blocked by bacilli.

Fig. 271.—Monads in Rat’s Blood, 1,200 ×. (Crookshank.)

a. Monad threading its way among the blood-corpuscles; b.

Another with pendulum movement attached to a corpuscle; c.
Angular forms; d. Encysted forms; e and f. The same seen
edgeways.

My illustration (Fig. 270) is from a micro-photograph taken in 1897,

when the death rate stood very high. The general distribution of the
bacilli, together with phagocytes and the contents of swollen
lymphatic glands, magnified 1,200 ×, is from a preparation made in
hospital. The monads from the rat’s blood, 1200 ×, seen threading
their way among the blood corpuscles of a rat, and represented in
Fig. 271, are somewhat larger than those found in the Bombay rats,
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