18 





The cellular structure of proteins. 



In living tissues these will "be filled with water 

 or dilute salt solution, and it will be observed 

 that the vacant spaces in these compartments have 

 a combined cross-s ection<al area equal to about 

 three-fourths of the entire area of the figure. 



The hexagonal form of compartment is believed 

 to be the form which occurs most frequently in 

 nature, because the h3xagon is one of the few 

 figures which when duplicated will completely cov 3r 

 an area of indef init olsize. The only other possi- 

 bilities are quadrilateral and triangular compart- 

 ments, but as these would require the coupling 

 together of four or six spirals respectively, 

 it is considered highly improbable that they occur 

 to any great extent in nature. It is doubtful 

 whether connecting complexes between six spirals 

 could form spontaneously und 3r any conditions, 

 but connecting complexes between four spirals 

 could probably be formed occasionally as follows: 



