294 The Microscope. 



the mystery of mysteries seems to be almost unveiled. The nature 

 of life, if it is to be revealed by the study of organisms v^'hich exhibit 

 it, should appear from the study of the naked, disassociated, proto- 

 plasmic atoms in which all the essential attributes of life are mani- 

 fested. The simplest of these, for they difPer widely among them- 

 selves, are without nerves, yet they are sensitive; they are without 

 organs, yet they move about freely; gather, select and digest their 

 food; and escape from their enemies; they reproduce their kind and 

 maintain themselves when subjected to unfavorable conditions with 

 as great certainty as do the complex and bulky animals. In short, 

 their life histories, as we get to know them better, prove to be as 

 definite, the specific characters as constant. But does the clearer 

 understanding of these forms in their simplicity shed light on the 

 nature and origin of life, which are held by many savants not to be 

 transcendental ? It seems to me not, and that we are still v«ry far 

 from the solution of these great problems. The most that has 

 eventuated thus far is a shifting of the point of view. This has 

 undoubtedly afforded a clearer sight, but the perfect vision is not 

 revealed. Still, whilst the object sought may be illusive, and, as one 

 who pursues the rainbow finds it ever a few steps beyond his reach, 

 so here, the answers to the questions mentioned, which have been so 

 eagerly sought for in the bodies of the simplest and beginning forms 

 of life, ever elude the microscope and reagents of the enquirer. 

 Then are we no nearer an understanding of these matters than 

 before? Most certainly we are. The problems of human society 

 are not nearly all solved, but there have been tremendous strides in 

 advance since the individual, rather than communities, has been 

 made the object of consideration. Although the results attained are 

 so far short of hopes and expectations, yet, in the prosecution of 

 these inquiries in connection with protozoa, there is fascination 

 and interest. Further than this, the infinite variety, their graceful- 

 ness of form and motions, their ubiquity and high endowments, 

 coupled with simplicity, firmly hold the attention of the student. 



For the sake of clearness in the subsequent parts of this dis- 

 course, let us attend for a few minutes to the organisms themselves, 

 and the terms designating the parts. [To aid in this explanation, 

 simple figures were drawn on the blackboard.] 



A cursory survey will disclose the fact that there exist very 

 great differences among these creatures comprehended in protozoa. 

 The reach from the lowest to the highest is immense, comparable 

 only to a corresponding relation between highest and lowest verte- 

 brates; hence, for illustration of terms and for convenience of com- 



