126 The Organization of Protoplasts 



find out the attitude of the individual organs of the latter 

 and especially of the vacuoles, the granular plasm, and the 

 plasmatic membrane. For the knowledge of cell-division 

 will be complete only when all the organs of the proto- 

 plast have been equally considered. 



The described course of investigation makes it clear 

 why even a practical and simple designation of the living 

 cell-contents has not yet gained general recognition. Such 

 a designation was suggested by Hanstein, in his well- 

 known lectures, by the word "protoplast."^ The word 

 "protoplasm" was coined by Mohl for the semi-liquid 

 nitrogenous substance "which furnishes the material for 

 the formation of the nucleus and the primordial utricle," 

 and from wdiich originate the first solid structures of the 

 future cell.^ The formed body, built up from this sub- 

 stance, has frequently been called protoplasmic body, 

 plasm-body, sometimes even protoplasmic globule or drop, 

 expressions which are obviously inadequate to create a 

 clear conception in the minds of readers and hearers. 



Compared with these designations, Hanstein's word 

 clearly and distinctly describes the individuality of the 

 living cell-contents. This individuality has long been rec- 

 ognized by the best investigators. As early as 1862 

 Briicke said that protoplasm was an organic body; not a 

 drop of fluid, but an elementary organism.^ But the lack 

 of an appropriate name obscured the clearness of the con- 

 ception, and it was Hanstein who supplied this want. 

 Klebs and others have accepted his designation and 



iRanstein, J. von. Dus Protoplasma als Trdger der pflanzlichen 

 und fhierischen Lebensverrichtimgen. 1 Theil. 1880. 



2Mohl, H. von. Bot. Zeit. 4: 75. 1846. 



^Briicke, E. Die Elementaroganismen. Sitzutigsher. Kais. 

 Akad. Wiss. Wien. 442: 381. 1861. 



