________________
94
J. C. Sikdar
It appears from the study of Jaina Biology that some Nigodas like viruses parasitize bacteria (earth quadrates and becteria in plant): they are filtrable and will grow only in the presence of living cells in cultures of bacteria, which they cause to swell and dissolve. These Nigodas are found in nature wherever, bacteria occur-"and especially abundant in the instestine of man and other animals' (Kuksikrmi). They may be compared with Bacteriophages of modern Biology 54. "Electron micrographs show that some are about 5 millimicrons in diameter (they vary considerably in size, and that they may be spherical, comma-sbaped, or they may have a tail and resemble a ping pong paddle55". Some Nigodas like Rickettsias of modern Biology (resembling viruses) will multiply only within living cells. Their cellular structure is similar in most respects of that of bacteria as already defined. Some are spherical, others are rod-shaped, and they vary in lengtb. This Jaina view is supported by Biology in this way that Ricke. ttsias resemble viruscs in that with a single exception (a non pathogenic parasite of the sheep tick), they will multiply only within living cells. Their cellular structure is similar in most respects to that of bacteria. Some are spherical, others rod-shaped, and they vary in length from 300 to 2000 milljmicrons. They are larger than viruses and hence are noufiltrable and just barely visible under the microscope"'56.
ALGAE (SEVĀLA) According to the Jaina Āgāmas, the more primitive plants, which peither form embryos during development nor have vascular tissues, e.g. sevāla67 (algae) and paņaga 58 (fungus) may be identical with Thallophytes of modern Biology. The Thallophytes are classified into two kinds, viz. algae (sevāla), 'those that have chlorophyll and can live independently and fungi (panaga) 60 (those that lack chlorophyll and must live as sap. rophytes or parasites) (aņusuyattae).
54 Ibid., pp. 140-141, 55 Ibid., p. 141. 56 Ibid., p. 142. 57 'panagattāe sevālattāe, elc.' Sutrakytanga II. 3.55 Pannavaņā, I. 51, p. 21. Panaga
sevālabhumi-phoda ya I', Jivavicârn 8 58 Urtarādhyayana sūtra, 36, 103-104. 'Pannavaņā 1.51., p. 21. 'panagā sevāla-bhūmiphoda
ya I' Juvavicāra, v. 8. 59 Biology, p. 145. 60 Ibid, Sūtrakytänga, II.3.55.
