PHYTOGENESIS. 249 
bably be classed more especially, in which we are, as yet at 
least, totally unacquainted with the cytoblasts, in consequence 
of their absolute minuteness and transparency ; if we further 
bear in mind that the nucleolus in the cell-germ, even 
im the larger cytoblasts, frequently appears immeasurably 
small, or even entirely escapes the eye with the highest mag- 
nifying power; and, lastly, if we deduce from what has been 
previously stated, that nevertheless this granule, which can no 
longer be rendered perceptible, probably furnishes in the suit- 
able medium a sufficing cause for the formation of a cytoblast 
which serves as an introduction to the whole formative process 
of the cells; then, indeed, we are forced to confess that the 
imagination obtains ample latitude for the explanation in every 
case of the generation of infusorial vegetable structure, even 
without the aid of a deus ew machina (the generatio spontanea). 
But my present object is to communicate only facts and their 
immediate consequences, and not to dream; I will therefore 
rather add a few more observations on the growth of the 
plant. 
What is meant by to grow ? isa question to which every child 
quickly replies, “ when I am getting as big as father.” There 
is truth in this answer, but not sufficient to satisfy science. 
Words have no value in themselves, but are like coin, merely — 
tokens of a value not exhibited in specie, in order to facilitate 
commerce. And to carry the simile further, insecurity in this 
intellectual property, and frequently bankruptcy results, if 
this coimage has not its unchangeable, accurately-determined 
standard ; in a word, the utility of a scientific expression de- 
pends upon the accurate definition of the idea on which it is 
based. Unfortunately the perplexity of our social relations has 
caused us to forget entirely the original meaning of money, 
the sign has become to us the thing itself; may some good 
genius protect us from similar mistakes in our intellectual life. 
We must here be on our guard against two dangerous rocks: 
first, when we transfer words from one science to another, 
without first accurately testing whether they fit their new 
situation as respects all their accompanying significations also ; 
and, secondly, when we voluntarily lose sight of the significa- 
tion of a word consecrated by the spirit of the language and 
its historical development, and employ it without further cere- 
