Antoni de martí i franquès, la generación espontánea y la transformación de los organismos1

Abstract

Antoni Martí Franquès was a naturalist and scientist born in Catalonia, Spain (1750- 1832). His main contributions were on the vegetal reproduction as well as on the composition of the air, from which he achieved a significant international recognition. However, most of his unpublished experimental works were done on vegetal physiology and the spontaneous generation. He was convinced that he could produce very simple vegetable organisms from the organic material, water and light. Here, we discuss the few data that we know about his experimental works, the results, the context and the external influences. Also, we discuss his concepts about the transformation of the organisms, the influence of Lamarck, and the ideas on evolution that Martí shared with the French naturalist. © 2013 CSIC.