Is] 



a further and later modification resulted in the formation 

 of Protoplasm, which is the earliest form of animal life. 

 This little substance gradually differentiated into two 

 distinct parts, by a nucleus being formed in the centre 

 of the protoplasmic mass, and became possessed with a 

 peculiar power of locomotion, which caused a still 

 greater difference to exist between itself and its ancestral 

 stock. This power of locomotion, again, is but a modi- 

 fication of that life-power of which we have spoken, and 

 forms a stepping-stone between the molecular action of 

 mineral substances and the mental wonders of the human 

 being. The crystal, in common with all other bodies in 

 the mineral kingdom, always possessed this power of 

 locomotion to a limited extent; every one of the indi- 

 vidual atoms which make up the whole substance has 

 always had the power of locomotion, for they all attract 

 and repel each other and effect cohesions by their 

 mutual attraction. This locomotive power underwent 

 such a modification when cell-life (Protozoa) was mani- 

 fested that not only were the constituent molecular 

 atoms individually possessed of this power, as before, 

 but the whole mass of the cell became endowed with the 

 same property, just as a whole continent of free people 

 who have been in the habit of defending themselves 

 singly against their enemies sometimes combine and 

 co-operate with each other in the form of a republic, the 

 function of the individual being assumed by the body 

 as a whole. The little cellular organisms, which are 

 called Amoebae, possess this extended power of locomo- 

 tion, and may be seen constantly moving about in the 

 endeavour to locate themselves in the brightest part of 

 their dwelling place, frequently a little pond. They are 

 attracted by light, which clearly proves that they possess 

 a degree of sensory perception, although special sense- 

 organs are of course wanting, the whole mass of the 

 body being nothing more than a single cell composed of 

 protoplasm and nucleus. These little cellular organisms 

 soon unite with each other, forming small bodies com- 

 posed of several cells in a state of cohesion (Synamcebae), 

 and on the surface of these multicellur organisms are 

 shortly afterwards thrown out minute threads or ciliae, 

 the first attempt at separation of sense-organs from the 



