no THE CREATION OF MATTER 



fresh water, but also in the sea, and even in moist earth. 

 Some have the power of pushing out the protoplasm at 

 any point in finger-like processes, and by means of these 

 they move about. Sometimes they are a mere round 

 ball, while at others they are surrounded by processes 

 which they have thrust out. In certain circumstances, 

 if there be impurity in the water, they become encased in 

 a protecting membrane. At any point in their body 

 they can take in food, and so increase and grow. By 

 and by they separate gradually into two halves; these 

 again feed, increase, divide, and so the multiplication 

 goes on. In amoebae and kindred forms, we thus have 

 single cells enjoying and performing the functions of 

 animal life. 



(1) Cells consist of protoplasm with a nucleus. In 

 them the centre is differentiated from the circumference. 

 The outer substance is a machine of great complexity, 

 built up in one way. The nucleus is a machine of great 

 complexity, built up in a somewhat different way. Each 

 cell is formed of myriads of particles ; there are in each 

 innumerable adjustments, balancings, and joinings to- 

 gether. In the process of evolution, the molecules 

 reached first one form, and then marched forward to 

 another and double form. Having made one successful 

 advance, they hastened to make it still more successful. 

 Having gained the triumph of producing a structure in 

 which a tiny life-spring appeared on the field of existence, 

 as if knowing the promise laid up in a beginning so 

 wonderful and the loftiness of the heights that might 

 from it be reached, they proceeded to the production of 

 an advanced structure on the straight line leading to 

 those heights; they proceeded to the making of proto- 

 plasm into stones capable of being built into organisations, 

 in which life might flow in rivers and streams. Single 



