24 PROTOPLASM. 



Notwithstanding the clever and subtle arguments which 

 have been advanced in its favour, and repeated over and 

 over again in almost every possible form, the new doctrine 

 of life has exerted very little influence. It is absurd to 

 expect that thoughtful persons will be convinced that 

 vital phenonema are physical and chemical phenomena, 

 simply by an authoritative assertion that they are so ; 

 and no matter how energetically the doctrine may be 

 advocated, it will not be received unless it is proved to 

 be founded upon facts. In spite of all that has been said, 

 the chemist has taught us little concerning the nature of 

 the changes which take place when pabulum becomes 

 totally changed and converted into living matter, or when 

 the latter gives rise to some peculiar kind of formed matter. 

 He has shown us, it is true, that certain substances result- 

 ing in the organism during the disintegration of formed 

 matter may be prepared artificially in the laboratory; but 

 he knows as well as the physiologist, that their formation in 

 the organism is conducted upon totally different principles, 

 of the nature of which all are entirely ignorant. And it is 

 childish to attempt, as some have done, to hide our igno- 

 rance by referring the actions to subtle influences, cell- 

 laboratories, and molecular machinery, when every one 

 knows there is nothing like a laboratory or machinery in 

 any cell in any organism. 



" Properties " of Matter. 



Here are some specimens of the dogmatic assertions which 

 have been advanced in place of facts and arguments in favour 

 of the physico-chemical doctrines. " The difference between 

 a crystal of calc spar and amorphous carbonate of lime cor- 



