60 THE MICROSCOPICAL NEWS. 
self-motive power, not only from one point to another, but also of 
its atoms or particles among themselves. This, too, at first sight 
may appear to be a simple matter, but if we think about it we shall 
find that it is not so, but that it suggests considerable complication. 
When I have asked for an explanation of it I have often been 
answered, ‘Oh, it moves because it is alive ;” but this can scarcely 
be regarded as a satisfactory reply. We may have a pressure of 
steam in a boiler, but to utilise it suitable machinery is requisite ; 
and the same argument applies to every other force, including that 
of vitality. 
The simplest form of protoplasm having an independent existence 
is the moneron, which is a speck of protoplasm without any differ- 
entiation whatever. But next in simplicity to this,. and more 
readily obtainable, is the amoeba, which is so far differentiated as 
to possess a nucleus and contractile vesicle. ‘The protoplasm 
forming the outward boundary is apparently a little firmer than 
the rest, but beyond this it is as devoid of structure as the moneron. 
Watch one of these amoeba wandering about in search of food— 
flowing about would perhaps be a better term—and you will see 
that it has no settled form; it is continually changing its shape 
from moment to moment, thrusting out pseudopodia in all direc- 
tions and retracting them with equal ease. The particles of its 
semi-fluid substance move freely about amongst each other, with a 
constant change of their relative positions, every particle of the 
creature being seemingly independent of every other particle, but 
still to work harmoniously with it. Now, if I wish to extend one 
of my limbs, or to make any movement of the whole or any part 
of my body, an elaborate system of nerves and muscles is brought 
into requisition. The necessary stimulus must be transmitted from 
the brain through the nerves to the muscles, causing the contraction 
of these so as to produce the intended movement. But the 
amoeba, without any brain, nerves, or muscles, or indeed any organi- 
sation that we can detect, moves, as I have said, in any and every 
direction, changing not only its position as a whole, but also the 
relative position of its individual particles, a power which we cannot 
conceive to exist in the absence of organisation. Then, again, there 
is that curious movement of protoplasm known as cyclosis, which 
occurs in the cells of various plants. Some, indeed, think that it occurs 
in the cells of all plants at some period or other of their existence, 
though it has hitherto been observed in comparatively few. It 
must not be confounded with sap circulation, which takes place 
in the spaces between the cells, cyclosis being within the cells. One 
of the most beautiful and easily-observed example of it is in the 
Chara, especially in WVitella Translucens, a moderate amplification, 
say 50 to 100 diameters, sufficing to show it clearly, the cells being 
comparatively large. ‘The protoplasm may be seen travelling longi- 
