SYMPOSIUM ON COLLOIDS 67 



has been made only at occasional points and not consistently- 

 over the whole field. Hence the discussion takes more the na- 

 ture of isolated illustrations than of a summary, but these il- 

 lustrations bring into prominence a few very important facts 

 and open up situations of great promise. 



The living portion of the organism and many parts pro- 

 duced by it are in the main colloidal and in their behavior obey 

 the laws of colloids. Rational explanations in this field cannot 

 be expected when these basal facts are neglected. 



Therefore many of the phenomena of the living organism 

 and some of the phenomena of its environment, which entire- 

 ly lack explanation on the basis of homogeneous systems, are 

 common processes of colloidal systems. 



Although at present the application of colloidal chemistry 

 to biology offers much more of bright prospect and excellent 

 promise than of accomplishment, it is certain that as the ap- 

 plication progresses many processes that had to be included 

 under the unexplained group of vital processes will find partial 

 or complete elucidation on the basis of laws of colloids. 



But even after colloidal chemistry consummates its possi- 

 ble accomplishments in biology, the vitalist will still have legs, 

 although quite different legs, yet legs to stand upon. 



BIBLIOGRAPHY 



1. Hober, R. Physikalischechemie der Zelle und der Gewebe. XVIII-f- 

 808, Berlin, 1914. 



2. Czapek, F. Biochemie der Pflanzen (zweite auflage). Bd. I-f-828, 

 1913. 



3. Kite, G. L. The Physical Properties of the Protoplasm of Certain 

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4. Hardy, W. B. On the structure of cell protoplasm. Journ. of 

 Physiol. 24 : 158-210, 1899. 



5. Bensley, R. R. On the Nature of the Canalicular Apparatus of 

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6. Hofmeister. Die chem. Organization der Zelle, 1901. 



7. Jost, L. Vorlesungen uber Pflanzen — Physiologic XVI-}-760, Jena, 

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8. Lepeschkin, W. W. (a) Zur Kenntniss der chemischen Zusammen- 

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(b) Zur Kenntniss der Einwirkung supramaximaler Temperaturen 

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9. Liebaldt, E. Uber die Wirkung wasseriger Losung oberflachenaktiver 

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