A NEW EPOCH IN SCIENCE. 87 



that were now to engage anatomists. The lens and 

 the doublet were discarded for the compound micro- 

 scope, and this has afforded a new revelation to men 

 of eyes and brain, exploring the minute structures of 

 ( )i'ganisms. As another eureka in history, the discovery 

 of the " Cell " or organic corpuscle merited " All Hail ! " 

 but it would be no less hasty than unphilosophic to 

 claim for it the ne plus ultra of man's aim in the field 

 of physiology. To-day the words of Laplace are as 

 appropriate as when he uttered them on his deathbed — 

 " Ce que nous connaissons est peu de chose, ce que 

 nous ignorons est immense." Moreover, fresh problems 

 in physiology, quite as much as in physical science, 

 are continually presenting themselves for solution, and 

 one discovery is but an introduction to many others, 

 as startling as the "All Hail!" or the regal shadows 

 crossing Macbcth's vision : — 



" And yet the eighth appears, who hears a glass 

 "Which shows me many more." 



As the century entered its fourth decade, " the 

 cell-question," viewed phytologicalfy and zoologically, 

 constituted a new epoch in science ; whilst in import, 

 in scope, character, and excellence, the microscope rose 

 to a higher and higher perfection. With cell-growth 

 as a primary fact in the tissues of organized bodies, 

 nil that was needed was a (rue and fervid cultusonthe 

 part of intelligent minds to render the epoch worthy of 

 its appliances, its aims, and its destiny. Every one, it 

 may be said, owes something to bis epoch ; some men 

 owe their bappy lines in life entirel) to theirs; and qoI 



