DR. BEALE, ON THE TISSUES. 185 



Elementary parts, iuto wliicli every structure may be 

 divided. A particle of epithelium is an elementary part. 

 The elementary part consists of matter in two states. 



Germinal matter. — ^Matter in a state of activity, or capable 

 of assuming this condition, possessing inherent powers of 

 selecting certain inanimate substances, and of communicating 

 its properties to these, exists in all living beings, and from it 

 every tissue is produced. It was proposed to call this ger- 

 minal matter. A certain portion of the germinal matter of 

 many elementary parts is comparatively quiescent, but is 

 capable of assuming an active state at a subsequent period. 

 These portions are the so-called nuclei and nucleoli ; they 

 are new centres of growth, and new nuclei and nucleoli wall 

 make their appearance within them when they have grown 

 into ordinary elementary parts. 



The matter on the external part of every elementary part 

 exists in a passive state, as — 



Formed material, Avhich was once in the condition of ger- 

 minal matter, but it has now ceased to be active. It cannot 

 communicate its properties to lifeless matter. Its composition, 

 form, and properties, depend upon the powers of the germinal 

 matter from which it was produced, and which it often pro- 

 tects by its passive nature. 



Secondary deposits. — These are insoluble matters which 

 vary in form and composition in diiferent cases, and may be 

 considered to result from changes in formed material which 

 has been deposited amongst the particles of germinal matter. 

 Deposits may accumulate here to such an extent as to cause the 

 germinal matter to form a very thin layer between them and 

 the formed material."^ 



These were the only terms which Dr. Beale would require 

 in describing the changes occurring during the development 

 and growth of every tissue, vegetable as well as animal, in a 

 state of health and in disease. 



TJie microscope. — The arrangement of the microscope with 

 which the tissues were to be demonstrated, was then described. 

 The instrument was made after the manner of a telescope 

 with draw-tubes; the object was fixed across a stage below 

 the object-glass by a spring which pressed against the back 

 of the slide. By this arrangement any part of the specimen 

 could be easily placed under the object-glass, and by means 

 of a little screw- clamp it could be fixed firmly in the exact 

 spot which was to be examined. The object was brought 

 into focus by screwing down the middle draw- tube to the 

 proper position, and the more exact focussing was effected by 

 * See explanatory note on page 195. 



