196 WARFARE IN THE HUMAN BODY 



its test pierced the nucleus moves up to the breach and 

 repairs it. Such a process mimics purposed action, and, 

 indeed, is purposed action if, as certainly may be done, 

 we analyse all purpose into complexes of tropisms. The 

 probable causes of the nuclear movements are the negative 

 tropisms of the protoplasmic elements. They are repelled 

 by the salts of the water, in which the cell lives, and from 

 which the test protects them, and gradually thrust for- 

 ward the non-living nucleus which contains the catalysts 

 or tools which can hasten the deposition of such con- 

 stituents of the cell wall as are needed for repair. The 

 process is exactly similar to that of an expert with tools 

 being thrust and drawn into the position in which he 

 can use them to make good the result of some accident 

 which requires instant attention. These views are sup- 

 ported by the work of Haberlandt. 



This conception of a nuclear tool-house and store- 

 house brings the cell as a social organism into line with 

 those we more commonly call social, and if the generaliza- 

 tion is made that living action of all kinds, in the cell, a 

 tissue, an organ, an animal, a social body, or an " in- 

 dividual " such as a nation, is of a like nature, it may be 

 inferred that it is not so much on the actual protoplasm 

 itself as on the acquired tools, and what is made by them, 

 that differences of form and action depend. The same 

 protoplasmic energy engine makes a muscle cell or a 

 neuron. The notion of different kinds or grades of proto- 

 plasm appears to be without foundation. That of a 

 sperm cell or a hepatic cell is probably just the same and, 

 if Child (Senescence and Rejuvenescence) is right, it may 

 surely be inferred that an increase of protoplasmic 

 activity depends on new tools, the increase of old ones, 

 or the loss of those once useful which have ceased to be 



