46 COLOUR NOT DUE TO MERE TINTING. 



the great rapidity with which nutrient fluid passes 

 through the tissue or formed material towards the 

 bioplasm or living matter of the cell or elementary 

 part during life. Even the firm and resistmg matrix 

 of cartilage is readily permeated by the carmine 

 fluid without being stained in the slightest degree, 

 while the masses of bioplasm are deeply tinged. 



69. Colour not due to mere tinting. — The effect 

 produced is very different from the mere tinting 

 which results from soaking tissues or other bodies in 

 coloured fluids. The staining of the bioplasm depends 

 upon altogether different circumstances, and from it 

 we learn highly important facts. Of course every 

 kind of matter may be tinted, — rag, paper, wood, 

 silk, bone, teeth, shell, and almost every formed 

 matter in nature may be coloured bright red by being- 

 soaked in certain coloured fluids. As formed material 

 of any kind can thus be dyed, some observers with- 

 out paying the least attention to the observations 

 which have been made, and without even looking at 

 the specimens and drawings with which my investi- 

 gations have been illustrated, have hastily inferred 

 that by carelessly steeping tissues in various colour- 

 ing fluids, all the advantages afforded by the use of 

 an ammoniacal solution of carmine can be gained. 

 I cannot discuss the matter in this place, and shall 

 content myself with dii-ecting attention to the evi- 

 dence adduced. The ridiculous objections that have 

 been advanced even by persons in positions of autho- 

 rity may be replied to by specimens anyone can make 

 for himself with a little trouble, and by the confirma- 

 tory researches of observers who have not already com- 

 mitted themselves to doctrines concerning the nature 

 of the phenomena of living beings which are incom- 



may be increased to 15 grains if it is desired to stain soft tissues 

 very quickly. In some cases it is necessary to add a little water, 

 and in others more alcohol must be added in order to make the 

 Bolutioa permeate the tissue freely. 



