180 life's beginning on the earth 



which lower surface tension and give rise to the movements 

 described; observe particularly Figure 72. We have thus 

 realized the aim of our experimentation to obtain an oil in 

 which chemical reactions occur, leading to surface changes 

 and Amoeboid movements. 



Although an addition of alcohol is necessary to produce 

 Amoeboid movements in ordinary oil, (recall the experiment 

 described on page 164) the oil freshly extracted from brain 

 will more closely and spontaneously imitate the movement 

 of an Amoeba if it is not disturbed by the addition of an 

 agent like alcohol. Nevertheless the experiments with an 

 ordinary oil are of value, although the results are very 

 crude compared to the living cell. We need a crude imita- 

 tion, if we wish to grasp the essential feature of a vital proc- 

 ess which is shrouded in the deepest mystery. This first 

 step is the most difficult one, for there is no compass to 

 guide us, no logic or reasoning to help. Consequently this 

 type of work seems uninteresting, particularly to those who 

 are highly intellectual. Once a basis has been found, the 

 human mind may more easily draw conclusions, or initiate 

 further development by analogy or inference. 



5. DEGENERATION, POISONING, SUFFOCATION, AND 

 STARVATION IN MAN, ANIMAL, AMOEBA. . . 

 AND IN THE OIL-DROP 



The oil-drops studied by Dr. Telkes develop their peculiar 

 structure only if the oil has been extracted from the brain of 

 a previously healthy animal. Dr. Telkes obtained different 

 results with an oil extracted from the brain of a rabbit which 

 had died from extreme exhaustion, occurring after the ani- 

 mal had been kept awake for four days. The droplets made 

 from the brain of this animal no Longer exhibit the peculiar 

 appearance characterized by outgrowths of tiny fibers, but 

 appear as plain round drops, as will be seen by a comparison 

 of Figures 71 and 7^ (see page 177). From this remarkable 



