10 



GENERAL PHYSIOLOGY. 



The study of the growth and reproduction of those epi- 

 theliums formed only from cells, especially the numerous 

 pathological products, tends to prove that every globule is 

 born of another globule (omne vivum 

 ex ovo). In this point of view, the 

 question of spontaneous generation is 

 gradually losing confirmation by obser- 

 vation. Considering then that every 

 globule springs from another globule, the 

 type in accordance with which this gen- 

 eration takes place is represented by the 

 ovum. At a certain stage, when all the 

 surrounding circumstances are favorable, 

 the mother-cell presents the appearance 

 of a superficial strangulation, which grad- 

 ually grows more prominent, and finally 

 divides the primitive globule into two 

 globules. As soon as the first division has 

 been accomplished, another strangulation 

 occurs at right angles to the first ; thus 

 finally subdividing each globule, so that, 

 in the place of our original globule, we 

 have four globules. We shall have occa- 

 sion for the detailed study of these phe- 

 nomena, when we consider the formation 

 of the different globules, in particular the 

 ovule, under the head of segmentation 

 of the vitellus. Suffice it now to mention 

 that in a general way every cell is born 

 Fig. 2. Various succes- of another cell by the process called seg- 



sive degrees of inter- . j -i ii , 



section and segmenta- mentation, and when this segmentation 

 tion of a globule (ovum concerns only the portion contained within 



irolll irogj JjdCT). * * ~ ~ 



IIT ~n ~r 



the envelope, it is called J^ndogenesis, or 

 when both envelope and contents are involved, forming thus 



the pathological neoplasms owe their origin. In all other cases the 

 cellular theory asserts its rights. 



In a recent work, Onimus published a number of experiments 

 which seem to prove that the globular elements .(white globules of 

 blood and of lymph) can be formed in the serous fluids, in lymph 

 maintained under proper conditions of temperature, of surround- 

 ing media, and of molecular changes. This work has met with 

 considerable opposition, and it is not right to pronounce now upon 

 this point. We may draw our conclusions in the following words 

 of Frey: " Though every thing seems to prove that the animal 



