144 Protoplasm. 



is how, for one idea, protoplasm could become 

 one thing here, and, for another idea, another 

 so different thing there. We are more curious 

 abnut the modification than the protoplasm. 

 In the difference, rather than in the identity, 

 it is indeed that the wonder lies. 



" Here are several thousand pieces of proto- 

 plasm ; analysis can detect no difference in 

 them. They are to us, let us say, as they are 

 to Mr. Huxley, identical in power, in form, and 

 in substance ; and yet on all these several thou- 

 sand little bits of apparently indistinguishable 

 matter an element of difference so pervading 

 and so persistent has been impressed, that of 

 them all, not one is interchangeable with 

 another! Each seed feeds its own kind. The 

 protoplasm of the gnat will no more grow into 

 the fly than it will grow into an elephant. 

 Protoplasm is protoplasm ; yes, but man's 

 protoplasm is man's protoplasm, and the mush- 

 room's the mushroom's." 1 The difference is 

 one of kind, not of degree ; and that difference 

 the word " modification," though it may indeed 

 sometimes conceal, will never be able to 

 efface. 



13. In closing this brief review of Mr. Huxley's 

 1 "As Regards Protoplasm," p. 58. 



