78 ENDOSMOSE L.ECT. III. 



subject requires elucidation by fresh experiments. When 

 we remark that the direction most favourable to endosmose 

 between water and a saccharine solution, for example, is 

 not the same for the stomach of a ruminant as for the stomach 

 of a carnivorous animal ; it clearly follows that the phe- 

 nomenon of endosmose must be intimately connected with 

 the great differences which exist in the digestive functions 

 of these two orders of animals. I am anxious to explain 

 to you all the details of the experiments which I made with 

 Professor Cima on the subject of endosmose, being well 

 convinced of the great importance of this phenomenon in 

 the vital functions. 



Ovules nourished and Spermatophora opened by Endos- 

 mose. It is by endosmose that physiologists now explain 

 the manner in which the nutrition of the ovules in the ovi- 

 ducts of mammalia is' effected ; and how the sacs, which 

 contain the sperm of the cephalopodus molluscs (or the 

 spermatophora) open immediately they are brought in con- 

 tact with water. 



Endosmose of Cells. A cell is the elementary organ of 

 all animal and vegetable tissues, and cell-life involves an 

 act of endosmose : this shows how much the phenomenon 

 of endosmose requires to be more completely studied, in 

 order that we may be enabled to make of it all the appli- 

 cations of which it is susceptible. 



Endosmotic Action of Purgatives. I cannot conclude 

 this lecture without referring to the recent experiments of 

 Poiseuille, made with the view of explaining by endosmose 

 the purgative action of certain substances. He found that 

 there was endosmose through animal tissues from the serum 

 of the blood to Seidlitz water, and to solutions of sulphate 

 of soda and common salt. Now this is precisely what hap- 

 pens when we use these medicines internally: the rejected 

 excrements contain an abundant quantity of albumen. In 



