372 PLAIN FACTS FOR OLD AND YOUNG 



through the operations of the protoplasm, or living 

 matter, which chiefly composes it. The same activity 

 occasions another subdivision, making four cells of the 

 two. Still another division produces eight cells. 



Thus the processes of growth and division continue 

 until the one original cell has developed into hundreds, 

 even thousands and millions, under the active working 

 of the protoplasm, which is the chief component of the 

 cells and the potent agent in their activities. Develop- 

 ment and division still continue while a new process of 

 folding is set up, layers of cells being formed, groups 

 and subgroups being set off, which develop into special 

 systems and organs, until by and by the whole complex 

 organism which we call man is developed. 



What the Microscope Reveals.— To enable us to 

 comprehend more fully how "fearfully and wonder- 

 fully made" is the "human form divine," let us exam- 

 ine with minute care, by the aid of a powerful micro- 

 scope, one single part of the body, the blood. A prick 

 of the finger secures a tiny drop of red blood, which 

 we place upon a small slip of glass, and adjust under 

 the microscope. The magical instrument presents to 

 view a scene of such rare beauty as seldom meets the 

 human eye. The red blood has faded out to a faint 

 amber color, and the whole field is swarming with tiny 

 creatures of the most delicate and symmetrical struc- 

 ture, which float about singly, or cling together in little 

 groups. Here and there may be seen some which are 

 a little larger than the others, though still so small that 

 three thousand of them arranged in a row would 

 extend but one inch, curious little round masses, so 

 transparent as to be almost invisible. They are not 

 very numerous, but scattered here and there about 

 the field. 



