136 



THE MECHANISM OF LIFE 



surface of the cap. In this case the lower surface of the cap 

 shows a number of orifices or canals similar to those seen in 

 many varieties of fungus. 



Shell-like osmotic productions may be grown by sowing the 



Fir,. 4S. — An osmotic growth in which the terminal organs are differently 

 coloured from the stems, showing that the chemical evolution is different. 



mineral in a very shallow layer of concentrated solution, a 

 centimetre or less in depth, and pouring over this a less con- 

 centrated layer of solution. By varying the solution or concen- 

 tration we may thus grow an infinite variety of shell forms. 



