PROTOPLASM. 



this now popular notion : it may be that the tendency of 

 modern research is, as has been said, indubitably and 

 strongly in this direction, but some of us cannot feel satis- 

 fied that this is really so. Surely it is not too much to ask 

 that the exact way should be pointed out in which new 

 facts afford support to the doctrine, and that we should be 

 furnished with something more definite to guide our reason 

 than what is called the " tendency''' of investigation, of 

 thought, or opinion ; for this " tendency," when carefully 

 analyzed, will sometimes be found to amount only to this, 

 that certain influential persons have determined that a par- 

 ticular opinion shall be widely taught, or a particular theory 

 agreed upon shall be expounded and diffused as widely and 

 as quickly as possible. 



Disclaiming authority of every kind, the adherents of 

 the new school of opinion profess to influence others, and to 

 be influenced themselves, by reason alone. But by urging 

 " the tendency of investigation" and "the spirit of modern 

 thought" in favour of doctrines they cannot support by evi- 

 dence, they appeal to the shadow of an authority which they 

 affect to despise. Every student has undoubted right to 

 require that scientific doctrines, which he is asked and 

 expected to accept as true, should be supported by facts 

 rather than by the authority of tendencies and prophecies. 

 In favour of regarding living beings as mere machines built 

 by force alone, maintained and preserved by force, and even 

 created by force, it is true, very positive statements have 

 been made ; but these have been, for the most part, sup- 

 ported by arguments more ingenious than conclusive. I for 

 one am ready to accept these views, no matter what change 



