WITH THE MICROSCOPE. 



white blood corpuscle, pi. XXXIII, fig. 215, is another example of 

 germinal or living matter which is invariably colourless and which as 

 is well known exhibits slow movements. The amceba which is 

 represented in pi. XL, fig. 254, consists of living matter, and 

 in its active state exhibits movements in every direction. These 

 movements I consider to be vital movements for all attempts to 

 explain them by physics and chemistry have signally failed. 



The character of germinal or living matter can be studied very 

 readily in the amoeba. These low forms of living beings are gene- 

 rally found in great numbers in water containing a little decomposing 

 vegetable matter. If carefully examined under the y^th of an inch 

 object-glass the amoeba will be observed to alter in form. At various 

 parts of the circumference protrusions will be observed. The pro- 

 trusions consist of the material which forms the basis substance of 

 the amoeba. It will be observed that this moving material is 

 perfectly transparent and in it no appearance of structure can be 

 discerned. It is true that granules and foreign particles may be 

 seen embedded in it, but the matter in which the motor power resides 

 is perfectly clear and transparent. Motion is communicated to the 

 solid particles by the movements of the transparent living matter. 

 Under certain circumstances the movements cease, and a change is 

 observed to take place upon the surface. The outer part of the 

 amoeba becomes condensed, and thus formed material results which 

 protects the remains of the living matter within. 



381. The Conversion of Living Germinal Matter into Formert 

 Material. The external surface of a mass or particle of germinal 

 matter in contact with air or fluid becomes altered. In plain 

 language, the living matter upon the surface dies, and according 

 to the conditions under which death occurs, different substances 

 may result These may be solid, fluid, or gaseous. They may 

 be soluble or insoluble in water. They may be soft or hard, 

 coloured or colourless. They are formed, and their formation is in 

 great part due to the relation which the elements of the living matter 

 were made to assume towards each other, during the living state. 

 This relation is definite, so that from the same kind of living matter 

 under similar conditions the same formed substances result The 

 very same elements which lived in the living matter, always enter 

 into the composition of the formed material. 



The mode in which the formed material is produced will be 

 understood by reference to fig. 355, pi. LVII. In a, b, and c, 

 both germinal matter and formed material are undergoing increase. 

 In fig. 356 the mass of germinal matter is dividing in the substance 

 of soft formed material, a portion of which surrounds each of the 



