146 R. L. M. SYNGE 



tides [64, 65] incorporating a pentapeptide sequence which also occurs, repeated 

 twice, in the cycUc decapeptide gramicidin S [66] which is produced by a 

 different strain of Bacillus brevis. In all these cases there is variation in chemical 

 structure without much change in biological activity. Thus study of the inter- 

 play of form and function in Uving organisms, which led up to Darwin's formu- 

 lation of evolution, is now being extended, as chemical smdy, to the ultramicro- 

 scopic aspects of hving organisms. It seems Ukely that this study, which is bound 

 to be extremely laborious, will throw light on many of the problems of systematics 

 which are still obscure, and particularly on the systematics of micro-organisms. 

 It is Ukely also that, as we begin to understand something about mechanism as 

 well as structure, we shall be able to deduce much that is relevant concerning the 

 problem of the origin of life. 



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