CHAPTER IV 



The Unicity op the Bacteriophage Protobe 



1. the bacteriophage protobe 



We have now analyzed the experimental evidence which proves that 

 the bacteriophage corpuscle possesses that composite of characters which 

 allows us to distinguish the hving nature of a being. There is, indeed, 

 no antinomy between the behavior of the bacteriophage corpuscle, 

 which is that of a parasite of bacteria, and its hving nature, which is 

 proved by its behavior. 



If we consider fairly aU of the known characteristics of the corpuscle 

 we can find but a single pecuharity which differentiates it from all beings 

 whose Hving nature has been accepted up to the present time. This 

 one distinctive feature is its minute size. And since experiments dem- 

 onstrate that its dimensions are approximately the same as those of 

 the protein micella this excludes the idea of a cellular being. 



The logic of the matter is simply this : The micella* is the smallest 

 possible particle of matter in the colloidal state: The substance com- 

 prising all hving beings is found in this state :t Consequently the micella, 

 the unit of colloidal matter is also the unit of living matter, and cells 

 are constituted of a union of micellae. A cell being formed of a nucleus 

 and a cytoplasm, by definition merely a single micella can not constitute 

 a cell. 



We are, then, confronted by the two following facts: 

 The bacteriophage corpuscle is formed of a single protein micella .J 

 A bacteriophage corpuscle has the combination of characters which 

 permit a substance to be classified in the category of living beings. 



Two experimental facts can not be in contradiction with each other. 

 If both facts are in agreement, and one, or both, contradict a theory, 



* Or whatever may be the name by which we choose to designate the colloidal 

 unit, — granule, particle, micella, or what not. 



t This is universally admitted, and is, moreover, readily demonstrable. Liv- 

 ing substance must be either a colloid or a crystalloid, for there are only the two 

 choices. 



X We have shown, as will be recalled, that it presents the characters of protein 

 substances, — among others, that of precipitation by saturation with the sulfates 

 of sodium and ammonium. 



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