246 DR. BEALE_, ON THE TISSUES. 



9. The formation of fibres clearly prolonged from the sub- 

 stance of the elementary part,, and composed of the same 

 structure. 



10. Elementary parts may begin their existence as minute 

 masses of granular (germinal) matter. At a later period a 

 membrane may be demonstrable. Afterwards the membrane 

 may become very thick indeed, so that a small cavity alone 

 remains in its centre. 



The length of this already long list might be increased, but 

 it was sufficient to prove that the doctrines at present taught 

 "would not explain all the phenomena which were observed ; 

 indeed, some of the facts mentioned were altogether incom- 

 patible with the favorite theories now entertained. 



Changes in an elementary part. — An elementary part may 

 commence its existence as a very minute granule, too small 

 to be seen even with the highest powers. It grows, and 

 then exhibits an outer portion of different character to the 

 material within. Changes may then occur in the inner 

 material. Small bodies may appear, from which new growth 

 may proceed at a subsequent period,'and within these smaller 

 particles may be evident. These clearly arise one within the 

 other. The central masfi'may divide, and the resulting por- 

 tions may divide and subdivide, until an immense number of 

 masses are produced. These may be quite separate from each 

 other, or they may be included within the original capsule. 

 In other cases there is no capsule, and the division and sub- 

 division take place in a transparent, and more or less "idscid 

 substance, which lies between each resulting mass. In all 

 cases the whole mass, and eaph component particle, consists 

 oi germinal matter 2indi formed material. The latter forming 

 a hard or soft external envelope, varying in structure, or a 

 fluid or viscid substance external to the germinal matter, and 

 sometimes also deposited amongst it. 



The power of growth of the germinal matter of man and 

 the higher animals, like that of the low'cr, is, there is reason 

 to believe, quite unlimited. Although this cannot be proved 

 absolutely, facts will be advanced which justify this statement. 

 The conditions necessary for the growth of the germinal 

 matter of the tissues of the higher animals are, however, so 

 complicated that the vitality of the germinal matter is much 

 more easily destroyed, and it is therefore more difficult 

 to study the changes produced in the elementary parts by 

 alteration of the circumstances under which they grow; 

 still, by a minute examination of the morbid changes occurring 

 in tissues in disease, or induced artificially, most important 

 general conclusions have been arrived at, and there is the 



