40 THE SIMPLEST FORMS OF LIFE 



easier for the microbe. It is no great leap to the forma- 

 tion and selection of the pseudopodia of the amoeba; 

 in fact, we find the same projections in much lower 

 organisms that have no nucleus (like the Protamctba and 

 others). 



There remains the very important function of sensitiveness 

 in the amoeba. It must be clearly understood that there is 

 no question of consciousness, in any degree. We have not 

 the least proof of any such possession, and the structureless 

 character of the organism forbids it. It is quite reckless to 

 ascribe to the amoeba perception or voluntary movement 

 that imply the least degree of consciousness. The amoeba 

 acts as if it felt certain stimuli. In a mechanical, unconscious 

 way it must feel them. In plain English, it reacts on the 

 application of these stimuli. That is by no means beyond 

 the natural range of a complex inorganic body. A strip of 

 gelatine will show the utmost sensitiveness to moisture on 

 the palm of the hand. The film on the photographic plate 

 may be extraordinarily sensitive. The chemist finds many 

 elements to be extremely sensitive to the presence of others; 

 and it is well known how sensitive many bodies are to the 

 action of light, heat, or electricity. Sensitiveness irritability, 

 as it is called in plasm is by no means an immaterial 

 function. In a very elaborate and loose compound like the 

 protoplasm of the amoeba or the infusorian, we may well 

 expect to find a high manifestation of it. We need not yet 

 fly in despair to a spirit-world. 



And if we cannot say that the vital principle of the amoeba 

 or the infusorian is clearly "more than a plexus of inorganic 



