LECT. III. CONCLUSIONS. 71 



subsequently. All these facts demonstrate clearly the inti- 

 mate relation which exists between the phenomenon of en- 

 dosmose and the physiological condition of the membranes. 



The phenomenon of endosmose, like every thing going 

 on in organized tissues, is devoid of that constancy and re- 

 gularity observed in physical phenomena elsewhere. To 

 this variable and accidental organic condition of the fresh 

 membranes must be ascribed the singular fact, that while 

 in certain cases we obtain an elevation of perhaps 80 milli- 

 metres, yet sometimes with the same liquid, the same mem- 

 brane, and in the same relative position, the rise does not 

 exceed 10 millimetres. We must also ascribe to a constant 

 anatomico-physiological condition, connected with the func- 

 tion of the same membrane, that constant difference of ele- 

 vation in the two different positions of the membrane, what- 

 ever this difference may in other respects be. It is important 

 to study the phenomenon with the view of recognising the 

 accidental circumstances which cause the variation of en- 

 dosmose through the fresh membranes ; as, for example, 

 the privation of nourishment in relation to the stomach, the 

 administration of certain substances to the animal before 

 killing it, &c. With this object we made one comparative 

 experiment only, which induces us to believe that endos- 

 mose through the skin of the eel is most energetic when 

 the skin has been removed after the animal has been for 

 some time out of the water. 



Conclusions. The novelty and importance of the results 

 we have obtained, must be my excuse for relating them in 

 this extended form. The general conclusions which we 

 have deduced from them are as follows : 



1st. The membrane interposed between the two liquids 

 is very actively concerned, according to its nature, in the 

 intensity and direction of the endosmotic current. 



2dly. There is, in general, for each membrane a certain 



