THE MICROSCOPE IN BIOLOGY. 123 



with very complex results, the nature of which has hitherto 

 baffled the efforts of chemists to determine. When the 

 life of germinal matter, however, is suddenly destroyed, 

 or rather when the matter is first transformed, the com- 

 pounds resulting from various species have similar chemi- 

 cal composition and properties, and an acid reaction is 

 developed. Fibrin, albumen, water, and certain salts may 

 thus be obtained from every kind of germinal matter. 

 Fatty matters also result, which continue to increase in 

 quantity for some time after death. In slow molecular 

 death, a certain amount of oxygen is taken into combina- 

 tion, which gives rise to different results from those which 

 occur when life is suddenly destroyed. Still other com- 

 binations are due to vital actions which are not yet under- 

 stood.. Thus some bioplasm produces muscle; other par- 

 ticles originate nerve structure, cartilage, bone, connective 

 tissue, etc. Many chemical changes occur also in formed 

 material after its production. It may become dry or fluid, 

 or split up into gaseous or soluble substances as soon as 

 produced. Imperfect oxidation may lead to the formation 

 of fatty matters, uric acid, oxalates, sugar, etc. At the 

 earliest period of development, the formed material con- 

 sists principally of albuminous and fatty matters, with 

 chlorides, alkaline and earthy phosphates. At a later 

 period gelatin, with amyloid or starchy matter, is pro- 

 duced.* 



6. Varieties in the Form and Function of Bioplasm. 

 Mutability of shape is characteristic of amoeboid cells, 

 and no conclusions can be drawn from their appearance 

 after death. Where numbers of them are accumulated, 

 they are flattened by mutual pressure so as to appear 

 polyhedral, laminated, or prismatic. The upper layers of 

 laminated epithelium are usually flattened. Where cells 

 line the interior of cavities in a single layer, they form 



* See Physiological Anatomy, by Todd, Bowman, and Beale. 



