THE MECHANISM OF LIFE 



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of the mechanism of amoeboid protoplasmic motion. Starting 

 from the spherical form of the amoeboid cell, the surface-tension 

 would be locally diminished at any desired point of the periphery 

 by the introduction of oxygen into the biogen-molecule ; the 

 protoplasm would be bulged out ; and since new biogen-molecules 

 would thus constantly come into contact with the oxygen of the 



FIG. 269. Various forms assumed by oil-drops in an alkaline liquid. 



surrounding medium, a longer or shorter pseudopodium, according 

 to the peculiar character of the protoplasm, would form. The 

 phase of expansion would thus be mechanically explained. By the 

 introduction of oxygen the biogen-molecules would then have 

 reached the maximum of their labile constitution. They would 

 then become decomposed, to a certain extent spontaneously, but 

 more through the action of stimuli that excite dissimilation. 



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