PHYTOGENESIS. 249 



bably be classed more especially, in which we arc, as yet .it 

 least, totally unacquainted with the cytoblasts, in conseqi enoe 

 of tlicir absolute minuteness and transparency; if we further 

 bear in mind that the nucleolus in the cell-germ, even 

 in the larger cytoblasts, frequently appears immeasurably 

 small, or even entirely escapes the eye with the highi -st mag- 

 nifying power j and, lastly, if we deduce from what has been 

 previously stated, that nevertheless this granule, which can do 

 longer be rendered perceptible, probably furnishes in the suit- 

 able medium a sufficing cause for the formation of a cytobla-t 

 which serves as an introduction to the whole formative process 

 of the cells ; then, indeed, we are forced to confess that the 

 imagination obtains ample latitude for the explanation in every 

 case of the generation of infusorial vegetable structure, even 

 without the aid of a deus ex machina (the y cue ratio spontanea). 

 But my present object is to communicate only facts and their 

 immediate consequences, and not to dream; I will therefore 

 rather add a few more observations on the growth of the 

 plant. 



What is meant by to grow ? is a question to which every child 

 quickly replies, " when I am getting as big as father." There 

 is truth in this answer, but not sufficient to satisfy science. 

 Words have no value in themselves, but arc like coin, merely 

 tokens of a value not exhibited in specie, in order to facilitate 

 commerce. And to carry the simile further, insecurity in this 

 intellectual property, and frequently bankruptcy results, if 

 this coinage has not its unchangeable, accurately-determined 

 standard ; in a word, the utility of a scientific expression de- 

 pends upon the accurate definition of the idea on which it is 

 based. Unfortunately the perplexity of our social relations hat 

 caused us to forget entirely the original meaning of mon< 

 the sign has become to us the thing itself; may some good 

 genius protect us from similar mistakes in our intellectual life. 

 We must here be on our guard against two dangerous roCK 

 first, when we transfer words from one science to another, 

 without first accurately testing whether they tit their new 

 situation as respects all their accompanying significations al 

 and, secondly, when we voluntarily lose sight of the significa- 

 tion of a word consecrated by the spirit of the language and 

 its historical development, and employ it without fui 



