1 8 THE MICROSCOPE. 



produced by the like self-multiplication of the pri- 

 mordial cell in the oak or palm, not only remain in 

 mutual connection, but undergo a progressive ' dif- 

 ferentiation ; ' a composite fabric being thereby de- 

 veloped, which is made up of a number of distinct 

 organs (stems, leaves, roots, flowers, &c.), each of 

 them characterised by specialities, not merely of ex- 

 ternal form, but of intimate structure (the ordinary 

 type of the cell undergoing various modifications), and 

 each performing actions peculiar to itself which con- 

 tribute to the life of the plant as a whole. Hence, 

 as was first definitely stated by Schleiden, it is in the 

 life-history of the individual cell that we find the true 

 basis of vegetable life in general."* What a marvel 

 for contemplation, this vegetable cell, this living atom, 

 endowed with such extraordinary and diversified power 

 of reproduction ! 



The cells, as Pouchet observes, " represent little 

 microscopic vesicles, at first globular, but which by 

 increase and mutual compression become many-sided. 

 And these elements, which conceal themselves from 

 our eyes, animated by an inconceivable plastic force, 

 and multiplying at a prodigious rate, cause new worlds 

 to arise. ' Give me a lever and a fulcrum,' said 

 Archimedes, 'and I will lift the globe.' M. Raspail, 

 almost paraphrasing the geometer of Syracuse, was 

 able to say, ' Give me a living cellule, and I will re- 

 produce all creation.' " 



You can readily make yourself acquainted with the 

 form of a simple cell and its growth, by placing a very 

 small quantity of fresh yeast under the microscope, 

 with a power of 400 diameters. The whole substance 

 seems to be nothing but an aggregation of these 

 minute cells. Look at them ; each is like a little 



* " The Microscope," p. 241. Fourth Edition. 



